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.
Two decades after tsunami, Swiss tourists flock to Southeast Asia
This content was published on
Twenty years after a catastrophic tsunami in Southeast Asia, the region is again a top destination for Swiss, including at Christmas.
Swiss forests better equipped for storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years after Hurricane Lothar wreaked havoc in Switzerland, the country’s forests are now better prepared, experts say.
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
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.