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Encyclopedia > Foreign relations of Switzerland

Foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) (known as the "Political Department" from 1848 to 1979). Although FDFA's role is primary, some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments within the Swiss Federal Council. Flag of Switzerland Template:Unverfied File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Aargau European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Switzerland Alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics Cross-country skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ski jumping... Flag of Switzerland Template:Unverfied File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Aargau European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Switzerland Alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics Cross-country skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ski jumping... The Flag of Switzerland (Vexillological symbol: ) consists of a red square with a bold, equilateral white greek cross in the center of the flag. ... The international relations of Switzerland are the responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and of all other departments for their respective fields of activity. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... International relations (IR), a branch of political science, is the study of foreign affairs of and relations among states within the international system, including the roles of inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs). ... The Swiss Federal Council (in German: Bundesrat, in French: Conseil fédéral, in Italian: Consiglio federale, in Romansh: Cussegl Federal) is the seven-member executive council which collectively assumes the office of head of state equivalent to that of a president or of a monarch in the government of...

Contents


History

The recently changed Swiss Constitution declares the preservation of Switzerland's independence and welfare as the supreme objective of Swiss foreign policy. Below this overarching goal, the Constitution sets five specific foreign policy objectives:

  • further the peaceful coexistence of nations;
  • promote respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of the law;
  • promote Swiss economic interests abroad;
  • alleviate need and poverty in the world; and
  • promote preservation of natural resources.

These objectives reflect the Swiss moral obligation to undertake social, economic, and humanitarian activities that contribute to world peace and prosperity. This is manifested by Swiss bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activity, assistance to developing countries, and support for the extension of international law, particularly humanitarian law. Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... Poverty is the state of being without, often associated with need, hardship and lack of resources across a wide range of circumstances. ... World peace is a future ideal of freedom, peace and happiness among and within all nations. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...


Traditionally, Switzerland has avoided alliances that might entail military, political, or direct economic action. Only in recent years have the Swiss broadened the scope of activities in which they feel able to participate without compromising their neutrality. A neutral country takes no side in a war between other parties, and in return hopes to avoid being attacked by either of them. ...


Switzerland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and historically has served as a neutral intermediary and host to major international treaty conferences. The country has no major dispute in its bilateral relations. A neutral country takes no side in a war between other parties, and in return hopes to avoid being attacked by either of them. ...


Switzerland (mainly Geneva) is home to many international governmental and nongovernmental organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (whose flag is essentially the Swiss flag with colors reversed, the Red Cross historically being a Swiss organization). One of the first international organizations, the Universal Postal Union, is located in Bern. Geneva (French: Genève) is the second-most populous city in Switzerland located where Lake Geneva (French: Lac Léman, but the Genevois are fond of calling it Lac de Genève) empties into the Rhône River. ... The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a committee of Swiss nationals and probably will be so as long as the ICRC exists. ... The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a international organization that coordinates postal policies between member nations, and hence the world-wide postal system. ... Location within Switzerland The city of Bern, English traditionally Berne (Bernese German Bärn , German Bern , French Berne , Italian Berna , Romansh Berna ), is the Bundesstadt (administrative capital) of Switzerland, and is the fourth most populous Swiss city (after Zürich, Geneva and Basel). ...


United Nations

On September 10, 2002, Switzerland became a full member of the United Nations, after a referendum supporting full membership won in a close vote six months earlier; Swiss voters had rejected membership by a 3-to-1 margin in 1986. The 2002 vote made Switzerland the first country to join based on a popular vote. September 10 is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years). ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established in 1945 and now made up of 191 states. ... A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... 1986 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Prior to its formal accession to the United Nations, Switzerland had maintained an observer role at the UN's General Assembly and its Economic and Social Council. Prior to full membership it had no right to a seat as one of the elected members of the UN Security Council. The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established in 1945 and now made up of 191 states. ... United Nations General Assembly The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. ... The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations assists the General Assembly in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. ... Since 1965, the UN Security Council has included 10 elected (non-permanent) members. ...


Switzerland has fully participated within many of the UN's specialized institutions, including the Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Environment Programme, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UN Conference on Trade and Development, UN Industrial Development Organization, and the Universal Postal Union. Switzerland has also furnished military observers and medical teams to several UN operations. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE or ECE) was established in 1947 to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. ... Klaus Töpfer, UNEP Exec. ... Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (established December 14, 1950) protects and supports refugees at the request of a government or the United Nations and assists in their return or resettlement. ... UNESCO logo The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations system established in 1946. ... The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body, UNCTAD is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment and development issues. ... United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is an agency of the United Nations with the mission of helping countries pursue sustainable industrial development, it is a specialist in industrial affairs. ... The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a international organization that coordinates postal policies between member nations, and hence the world-wide postal system. ...


Switzerland is a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice. The International Court of Justice (known colloquially as the World Court or ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. ...


Support of UN sanctions

The Swiss government on June 25, 2003, eased most of the sanctions against the Republic of Iraq in accord with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483. The government lifted the trade embargo, flight restrictions, and financial sanctions in place since August 1990. The weapons embargo and the asset freeze, the scope of which was extended, remain in force, and restrictions on the trade in Iraqi cultural goods were newly imposed. Though not a member at the time, Switzerland had joined UN sanctions against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait. June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A session of the Security Council in progress The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ... This article is about the economic term. ... Note: as an adjective (stressed on the second syllable instead of the first), august means honorable. ... 1990 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Switzerland also has joined UN economic sanctions imposed on Libya, Sierra Leone, UNITA (Angola), Liberia, and Serbia/Montenegro. On October 15, 2003, the Federal Council ended the import restrictions on raw diamonds from Sierra Leone and lifted sanctions against Libya. UNITA sticker The União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) is an Angolan political faction. ... Serbia and Montenegro  â€“ Serbia    â€“ Kosovo and Metohia        (UN administration)    â€“ Vojvodina  â€“ Montenegro Official language Serbian1 Capital Belgrade Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % water  88,361 km²  n/a Population  â€“ Total (2002)     (without Kosovo)  â€“ Density  7. ... Serbia and Montenegro  â€“ Serbia    â€“ Kosovo and Metohia        (UN administration)    â€“ Vojvodina  â€“ Montenegro Official language Serbian Capital Podgorica Former Royal Capital Cetinje President Filip Vujanović Prime Minister Milo Đukanović Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % water  13,812 km²  n/a Population  â€“ Total (2003)  â€“ Density  616,258  48. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... The Swiss Federal Council (in German: Bundesrat, in French: Conseil fédéral, in Italian: Consiglio federale, in Romansh: Cussegl Federal) is the seven-member executive council which collectively assumes the office of head of state equivalent to that of a president or of a monarch in the government of...


Switzerland in October 2000 implemented an ordinance to enforce UN sanctions against the Taliban (UNSCR 1267), which it subsequently amended in April 2001 in accord with tighter UN regulations (UNSCR 1333). On May 2, 2002, the Swiss Government eased the sanctions regime in accord with UNSCR 1388 and 1390, lifting the ban on the sale of acetic acid (used in drug production), Afghani airlines, and Afghani diplomatic representations. The weapons embargo, travel restrictions, and financial sanctions remain in force. October is the tenth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The Taliban (Pashtun and Persian: طالبان; students), also transliterated as Taleban, is an Islamist and Pashtun nationalist movement which ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, despite having diplomatic recognition from only three countries: the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. ... The chemical compound acetic acid (from the Latin word acetum, meaning vinegar), systematically called ethanoic acid, is the acid that gives vinegar its sour taste and very pungent smell when at high concentrations. ... Afghanistan (Pashtu/Dari-Persian: افغانستان, Afğānistān) is a country in Asia. ...


The Swiss Government in November 2001 issued an ordinance declaring illegal the terrorist organization Al-Qaida as well as possible successor or supporting organizations. More than 200 individuals or companies linked to international terrorism have been blacklisted to have their assets frozen. Thus far, Swiss authorities have blocked about 72 accounts totaling U.S.$22.6 million. For other uses, see November (disambiguation). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as a policy intended to strike with terror those against whom it is adopted; the employment of methods of intimidation; the fact of terrorizing or condition of being terrorized. ... Al-Qaeda (Arabic: القاعدة, the foundation or the base) is the name given to a worldwide network of militant Islamist organizations under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. ...


Other international organizations

Switzerland is a member of many international organizations, including World Trade Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Free Trade Association, Bank for International Settlements, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Atomic Energy Agency, and INTELSAT. WTO Logo The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization which oversees a large number of agreements defining the rules of trade between its member states (WTO, 2004a). ... The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation of those developed countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. ... The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established on May 3, 1960 as an alternative for European states that were not allowed or did not wish to join the European Community (now the European Union). ... The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is a financial international organization established under the Hague agreements of 1930. ... The Palace of Europe in Strasbourg The Council of Europe is an international organisation of 46 member states in the European region. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ... IAEA flag The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), established as an autonomous organization on July 29, 1957, seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for military purposes. ... Intelsat is the worlds largest commercial satellite communications services provider. ...


Switzerland is an active participant in the OSCE, its foreign minister serving as Chairman-in-Office for 1996. Switzerland also is an active participant in the major nonproliferation and export control regimes.


Although it is surrounded by member nations, Switzerland is not a member nation of the European Union. In 1992 Swiss voters approved membership in the Bretton Woods organizations but later that year rejected the European Economic Area agreement, which the government viewed as a first step toward European Union membership. 1992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Bretton Woods system of international economic management established the rules for commercial and financial relations among the major industrial states. ... The European Economic Area (EEA) came into being on January 1, 1994 following an agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Union (EU). ...

(More complete list of memberships):

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, CGPM, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD (World Bank), ICAO, ICC, ICC, ICDO, ICFTU, ICMM, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFCS, IFRCS, IGC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, IWC, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIE, OPCW, OSCE, OTIF, PCA, PFP, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC. The Agence de coopération culturelle et technique (ACCT, French for Agency of cultural and technical cooperation) is an organisation that is part of La Francophonie. ... The African Development Bank (AfDB) is a development bank established in 1964 with the intention of promoting economic and social development in Africa. ... The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a multilateral development finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. ... Australia Group is an informal group of countries established in 1985 (after the use of chemical weapons by Iraq in 1984) to help reduce the spread of chemical and biological weapons by monitoring and controlling the spread of technologies required to produce them. ... The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is a financial international organization established under the Hague agreements of 1930. ... The Palace of Europe in Strasbourg The Council of Europe is an international organisation of 46 member states in the European region. ... CERN logo CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the worlds largest particle physics laboratory, situated on the border between France and Switzerland, just west of Geneva. ... The General Conference on Weights and Measures is the English name of the Conférence générale des poids et mesures (CGPM, sometimes written in English Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures). ... The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) is a NATO organization, a multilateral forum created to improve relations between NATO and non-NATO coutries in Europe. ... The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was founded in 1991 to promote private and entrepreneurial initiatives in the countries of central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). ... The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE or ECE) was established in 1947 to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. ... The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established on May 3, 1960 as an alternative for European states that were not allowed or did not wish to join the European Community (now the European Union). ... The European Space Agency (ESA), established in 1975, is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to exploration of space with currently 16 member states. ... Headquartered in Rome, Italy, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations programs seek to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living; to improve the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of food and agricultural products; to promote rural development; and, by these means, to eliminate hunger. ... The Group of Ten or G10 is a group of industrially advanced countries. ... The Inter-American Development Bank, was established in 1959 to support Latin American and Caribbean economic/social development and regional integration by lending mainly to public institutions. ... IAEA flag The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), established as an autonomous organization on July 29, 1957, seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for military purposes. ... Logo of the World Bank The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, in Romance languages: BIRD), better known as the World Bank, is an international organization whose original mission was to finance the reconstruction of nations devastated by WWII. Now, its mission has expanded to fight poverty by means... The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is an international organization that works to promote and support global trade and globalization. ... The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2002 as a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, as defined by several international agreements, most prominently the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. ... Claiming 157 million members in 225 affiliated organisations in 148 countries and territories, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) came into being on December 7, 1949 following a split within the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). ... Somebody please clean this up. ... The International Development Association (IDA) was created on September 24, 1960, is a UN specialized agency. ... The International Energy Agency (IEA, or AIE in Romance languages with a curiously similar pronunciation) is a Paris-based governmental organization founded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the wake of the oil crisis. ... The International Fund for Agricultural Development is an agency of the United Nations. ... The International Finance Corporation (IFC) promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve peoples lives. ... The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) is an international humanitarian organisation, often better known as the Red Cross or the Red Crescent. ... International Labour organization is involved with justice. ... The flag of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the international organization entrusted with overseeing the global financial system by monitoring foreign exchange rates and balance of payments, as well as offering technical and financial assistance when asked. ... Headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation in Lambeth, adjacent to the east end of Lambeth Bridge Headquarters building taken from the west side of the Thames Headquartered in London, U.K., the International Maritime Organization (IMO) promotes cooperation among governments and the shipping industry to improve maritime safety and to... INMARSAT, is an international telecommunications company founded in 1979, originally as an intergovernmental organisation. ... Intelsat is the worlds largest commercial satellite communications services provider. ... The International Criminal Police Organization – Interpol (ICPO-Interpol) was created in 1923 to assist international criminal police co-operation. ... The International Olympic Committee is an organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894 to reinstate the Ancient Olympic Games held in Greece, and organise this sports event every four years. ... The International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organisation. ... Logo of the International Organization for Standardization The International Organization for Standardization (ISO or iso) is an international standard-setting body made up of representatives from national standards bodies. ... The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is an international organization established to standardize and regulate international radio and telecommunications. ... The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was set up by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling on December 2, 1946 with a headquarters in Cambridge, England. ... The Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración (the Latin American Integration Association; known as ALADI or, occasionally, by the English acronym LAIA) is a Latin American trade integration association, based in Montevideo. ... The Non-Aligned Movement, or NAM, is an international organization of over 100 states which consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. ... The Nuclear Energy Agency is an intergovernmental multinational agency that is organized under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. ... The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection on existing materials. ... The Organization of American States (OAS; OEA in the other three official languages) is an international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA. Its members are the 35 independent nations of the Americas. ... The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization of those developed countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. ... The Office International de Epizooties (OIE, World Organisation for Animal Health) is an international intergovernmental organisation founded in 1924. ... The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an agency of the United Nations. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ... The phrase Hague Tribunal can also be used to refer to ICTY. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), also known as the Hague Tribunal is an international organization based in The Hague in the Netherlands. ... Partnership for Peace is a NATO project aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in both Europe as well as the Asian part of the former Soviet Union. ... The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body, UNCTAD is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment and development issues. ... UNESCO logo The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations system established in 1946. ... Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (established December 14, 1950) protects and supports refugees at the request of a government or the United Nations and assists in their return or resettlement. ... United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is an agency of the United Nations with the mission of helping countries pursue sustainable industrial development, it is a specialist in industrial affairs. ... The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was established in 1965 as an autonomous body within the United Nations with the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the Organization through appropriate training and research. ... The United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) is an international organization formed under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1035, as extended by Security Council Resolution 1357. ... The United Nations Mission in Kosovo or UNMIK is an interim civilian administration of the Serbian province (as part of Serbia and Montenegro) called Kosovo (officially Kosovo and Metohia), under the authority of the United Nations. ... UN Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP) (January 15, 1996 - December 15, 2002) was a United Nations peacekeeping mission that monitored the demilitarization of the disputed Prevlaka peninsula by carrying out daily foot and vehicle patrols on both sides of the border between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) was established on 24 August 1993 by Security Council Resolution 858 to verify compliance with the 27 July 1993, ceasefire agreement between the Republic of Georgia and forces in Abkhazia with special attention given to the situation in the city of Sukhumi... UNTSO is an acronym for United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, an organization founded in 1948 for peacekeeping in the Middle East. ... United Nations University (UNU) is a university established on December 6, 1973 by adoption of resolution 3081 by the United Nations General Assembly, upon the suggestion of U Thant, UN Secretary-General at the time. ... The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a international organization that coordinates postal policies between member nations, and hence the world-wide postal system. ... WCL is an initialism for World Confederation of Labour. ... World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization that helps member states communicate and cooperate on customs issues. ... The WHO flag: similar to the flag of the United Nations, augmented with the symbolic staff and serpent of Asklepios, Greek god of medicine and healing. ... Headquarters in Geneva The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. ... The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 187 Member States and Territories. ... The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is a United Nations agency dealing with questions relating to tourism. ... WTO Logo The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization which oversees a large number of agreements defining the rules of trade between its member states (WTO, 2004a). ... The Zangger Committee, also known as the Nuclear Exporters Committee, sprang from Article III.2 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) which entered into force on March 5, 1970. ...



Participation in peacekeeping

The Swiss electorate rejected a government proposition to deploy Swiss troops as UN peacekeepers (the Blue Helmets) in 1994. Peacekeeping is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ...


In 1996 Switzerland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997, and deployed Yellow Berets to support the OSCE in Bosnia. In June 2001, Swiss voters approved new legislation providing for the deployment of armed Swiss troops for international peacekeeping missions under UN or OSCE auspices as well as closer international cooperation in military training. 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... The flag of NATO NATO 2002 Summit in Prague The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), sometimes called North Atlantic Alliance, Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance, is an international organisation for defence collaboration established in 1949, in support of the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, D.C., on April... Partnership for Peace is a NATO project aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in both Europe as well as the Asian part of the former Soviet Union. ... The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) is a NATO organization, a multilateral forum created to improve relations between NATO and non-NATO coutries in Europe. ... 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ... Bosnia and Herzegovina (officially Bosna i Hercegovina, shortened to BiH, also in English variously written Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bosnia-Hercegovina) is a mountainous country in the western Balkans. ... June is the sixth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four with the length of 30 days. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... Legislation refers 1. ...


Representation of foreign entities and in foreign disputes

Under a series of treaties concluded after World War I, Switzerland assumed responsibility for the diplomatic and consular representation of Liechtenstein, the protection of its borders, and the regulation of its customs. World War I was primarily a European conflict with many facets: immense human sacrifice, stalemate trench warfare, and the use of new, devastating weapons - tanks, aircraft, machineguns, and poison gas. ...


Since 1980, Switzerland has represented U.S. interests in Iran. 1980 is a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... ...


Switzerland played a key role in brokering a truce agreement between the Sudanese Government and Sudan People's Liberation Army for the Nuba Mountains region, signed after a week's negotiations taking place near Lucerne in January 2002. The Sudan Peoples Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) is a rebel group that was formed in 1983 by John Garang de Mabior, Salva Kiir Mayardit, William Nyuon Bany and Kerubino Kuanyin Bol. ... The Nuba Mountains are a mountain range in Kordofan, a province in central Sudan, Africa. ... Location within Switzerland View of the city from Lake Lucerne Another view across Lake Lucerne The Lion Monument Lucerne (German: Luzern) is a city in Central Switzerland with a population of 60,274 (December 31, 2003), capital of the Canton of Lucerne. ... January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


List of ministers

Federal councilor heading the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is the Swiss foreign minister: The Swiss Federal Council (in German: Bundesrat, in French: Conseil fédéral, in Italian: Consiglio federale, in Romansh: Cussegl Federal) is the seven-member executive council which collectively assumes the office of head of state equivalent to that of a president or of a monarch in the government of... A minister for foreign affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the governmental foreign policy of a sovereign nation. ...

    1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jonas Furrer (March 3, 1805 - July 25, 1861) was a Swiss politician. ... 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Daniel-Henri Druey (April 12, 1799 - March 29, 1855) was a Swiss politician. ... 1851 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Martin Josef Munzinger (November 11, 1791 - February 6, 1855) was a Swiss politician. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Jonas Furrer (March 3, 1805 - July 25, 1861) was a Swiss politician. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Wilhelm Matthias Näff (February 19, 1802 - January 21, 1881) was a Swiss politician. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Friedrich Frey-Herosé (October 12, 1801 - September 22, 1873) was a Swiss politician. ... 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jonas Furrer (March 3, 1805 - July 25, 1861) was a Swiss politician. ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Jakob Stämpfli Jakob Stämpfli (February 23, 1820 - May 15, 1879) was a Swiss politician. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Constant Fornerod (May 30, 1819 - November 27, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1858 is a common year starting on Friday. ... Jonas Furrer (March 3, 1805 - July 25, 1861) was a Swiss politician. ... 1859 is a common year starting on Saturday. ... Jakob Stämpfli Jakob Stämpfli (February 23, 1820 - May 15, 1879) was a Swiss politician. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... Friedrich Frey-Herosé (October 12, 1801 - September 22, 1873) was a Swiss politician. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Melchior Josef Martin Knüsel (November 16, 1813 - January 15, 1889) was a Swiss politician. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Jakob Stämpfli Jakob Stämpfli (February 23, 1820 - May 15, 1879) was a Swiss politician. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Constant Fornerod (May 30, 1819 - November 27, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Jakob Dubs (July 26, 1822 - January 13, 1879) was a Swiss politician. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Karl Schenk (December 1, 1823 - July 18, 1895) was a Swiss politician. ... 1866 is a common year starting on Monday. ... Melchior Josef Martin Knüsel (November 16, 1813 - January 15, 1889) was a Swiss politician. ... 1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Constant Fornerod (May 30, 1819 - November 27, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1868 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Jakob Dubs (July 26, 1822 - January 13, 1879) was a Swiss politician. ... 1869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Emil Welti (April 23, 1825 - February 24, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jakob Dubs (July 26, 1822 - January 13, 1879) was a Swiss politician. ... 1871 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Karl Schenk (December 1, 1823 - July 18, 1895) was a Swiss politician. ... 1872 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Emil Welti (April 23, 1825 - February 24, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Paul Cérésole (November 16, 1832 - January 7, 1905) was a Swiss politician. ... 1874 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Karl Schenk (December 1, 1823 - July 18, 1895) was a Swiss politician. ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Johann Jakob Scherer (November 10, 1825 - December 23, 1878) was a Swiss politician. ... 1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Emil Welti (April 23, 1825 - February 24, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Joachim Heer (September 25, 1825 - March 1, 1879) was a Swiss politician. ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Karl Schenk (December 1, 1823 - July 18, 1895) was a Swiss politician. ... 1879 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Bernhard Hammer (March 3, 1822 - April 6, 1907) was a Swiss politician. ... 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Emil Welti (April 23, 1825 - February 24, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1881 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Numa Droz (January 27, 1844 - December 15, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1882 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Simon Bavier (September 16, 1825 - January 27, 1896) was a Swiss politician. ... 1883 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Antoine Louis John Ruchonnet (April 28, 1834 - September 14, 1893) was a Swiss politician. ... 1884 is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar). ... Emil Welti (April 23, 1825 - February 24, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1885 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Karl Schenk (December 1, 1823 - July 18, 1895) was a Swiss politician. ... 1886 is a common year starting on Friday (click on link to calendar) // Events January 18 - Modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England. ... Adolf Deucher (February 15, 1831 _ July 10, 1912) was a Swiss politician. ... 1887 is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar). ... 1892 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Numa Droz (January 27, 1844 - December 15, 1899) was a Swiss politician. ... 1893 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Adrien Lachenal (May 19, 1849 - June 29, 1918) was a Swiss politician. ... 1896 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Adrien Lachenal (May 19, 1849 - June 29, 1918) was a Swiss politician. ... 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Adolf Deucher (February 15, 1831 _ July 10, 1912) was a Swiss politician. ... 1898 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Eugène Ruffy (August 2, 1854 - October 25, 1919) was a Swiss politician. ... 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Eduard Müller (November 12, 1848 - November 9, 1919) was a Swiss politician. ... 1900 is a common year starting on Monday. ... Walter Hauser (May 1, 1837 - October 22, 1902) was a Swiss politician. ... 1901 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Ernst Brenner (December 9, 1856 - March 11, 1911) was a Swiss politician. ... 1902 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Josef Zemp (September 2, 1834 - December 8, 1908) was a Swiss politician. ... 1903 has the latest occurring solstices and equinoxes for 400 years, because the Gregorian calendar hasnt had a leap year for seven years or a century leap year since 1600. ... Adolf Deucher (February 15, 1831 _ July 10, 1912) was a Swiss politician. ... 1904 is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Robert Comtesse (August 14, 1847 - November 17, 1922) was a Swiss politician. ... 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Marc-Emile Ruchet (September 14, 1853 - July 13, 1912) was a Swiss politician. ... 1906 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Ludwig Forrer (February 9, 1845 - September 28, 1921) was a Swiss politician. ... 1907 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Eduard Müller (November 12, 1848 - November 9, 1919) was a Swiss politician. ... 1908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Ernst Brenner (December 9, 1856 - March 11, 1911) was a Swiss politician. ... 1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Adolf Deucher (February 15, 1831 _ July 10, 1912) was a Swiss politician. ... 1910 in topic: Arts Architecture- Art- Film- Literature- Music- Television Science and technology Aviation- Rail transport- Radio- Science Other topics Australia- Canada- Ireland- South Africa- Sport Births- Deaths Lists of leaders: State leaders - Religious leaders 1910 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Robert Comtesse (August 14, 1847 - November 17, 1922) was a Swiss politician. ... 1911 was a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Marc-Emile Ruchet (September 14, 1853 - July 13, 1912) was a Swiss politician. ... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... Ludwig Forrer (February 9, 1845 - September 28, 1921) was a Swiss politician. ... Link title1913 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Eduard Müller (November 12, 1848 - November 9, 1919) was a Swiss politician. ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... Arthur Hoffmann (June 18, 1857 - July 23, 1927) was a Swiss politician. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... Categories: Stub | 1845 births | 1928 deaths | Members of the Swiss Federal Council ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Felix-Louis Calonder (December 7, 1863 - June 14, 1952) was a Swiss politician. ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Giuseppe Motta (December 29, 1871 - January 23, 1940) was a Swiss politician. ... 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1944 was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Marcel Pilet-Golaz (December 31, 1889 - April 11, 1958) was a Swiss politician. ... 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1961 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Max Petitpierre (February 26, 1899 - March 25, 1994) was a Swiss politician. ... 1961 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... // Events January-February January 4 - United States President Lyndon Johnson proclaims his Great Society during his State of the Union address. ... Friedrich Traugott Wahlen (April 10, 1899 - November 7, 1985) was a Swiss politician. ... 1966 was a common year starting on Saturday (link goes to calendar) // Events January January 1 - In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Willy Spühler (January 31, 1902 in Zurich - May 31, 1990) was a Swiss politician. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... Pierre Graber (December 6, 1908 - July 19, 2003) was a Swiss politician. ... 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pierre Aubert (born March 3, 1927) is a Swiss politician. ... 1988 is a leap year starting on a Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... René Felber (born March 14, 1933) is a Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council (1987-1993). ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday Anno Domini (or the Current Era), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Flavio Cotti (born October 18, 1939) is a Swiss politician. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday Anno Domini (or the Current Era), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Joseph Deiss (born January 18, 1946) is an economist and Swiss politician. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Micheline Calmy-Rey (born July 8, 1945) is a Swiss politician. ...

    Diplomatic representations

    • Diplomatic representations of Switzerland: Official list
    • Diplomatic representations in Switzerland: Official list

    Disputes - international

    Switzerland has no international disputes. Because of its fiercely neutral status, it has abstained from most international conflicts.


    Illicit drugs

    Because of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center.


    Transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin.


    See also


      Results from FactBites:
     
    Swissuniversity.ch - What is Switzerland? - Switzerland (483 words)
    Switzerland is the home of three of Europe's major languages (German, French and Italian), but apart from Rumanstch - spoken by only 0.5% of the population - it has no language of its own.
    Switzerland is a healthy country with respect to its inhabitants’ brain- and bodypower but also with respect to its industry, environment and lifestyle.
    Switzerland is internationally recognised as a leading centre for research, and is home to a number of institutes of world-wide importance.
      More results at FactBites »


     

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