Recent North Korean missile tests have prompted concern of an escalation of tensions as talks with Washington on the de-nuclearisation have stalled.
Keystone
The Swiss government has given the green light to ease delivery of humanitarian aid to North Korea in line with the United Nations Security Council.
This decision will increase legal certainty for those involved, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). But nothing will change for exporters of goods including medical and orthopaedic equipment.
“SECO will still have to be notified in advance of all exports. In addition, all shipments to North Korea will continue to be physically inspected,” the statementExternal link said.
A UN Security Council resolution prohibits the sale, delivery, export and transport of all goods subject to customs, as part of sanctions imposed against North Korea over its nuclear programme.
The Swiss government first adopted international measures against the regime in Pyongyang in 2006. They were tightened several times, notably in 2017 and 2018.
The latest amendment will come into force in December.
Talks between the United States and North Korea over the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula have stalled after a summit in February.
More
More
Former Swiss diplomat active in talks with North Korea
This content was published on
A former senior Swiss diplomat, Franz von Däniken, is cautiously optimistic about proposed talks between the United States and North Korea.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
This content was published on
Switzerland has again tightened sanctions against North Korea, in line with a UN resolution, keeping up pressure on Pyongyang.
Swiss Foreign Minister calls for renewed disarmament efforts
This content was published on
Ignazio Cassis spoke today at the Geneva Conference on Disarmament and pledged Switzerland’s full support for efforts to prevent armed conflicts.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.