Switzerland declares support for ‘indispensable’ OSCE
Rescue workers at the site of a residential building damaged by a missile attack in central Ukraine on April 28. At least 17 people were killed, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Keystone / Oleg Petrasyuk
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has assured the UN Security Council of Switzerland’s support for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) despite a failure in Ukraine.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/ts
“Yes, the war in Ukraine is a serious setback” for the OSCE, said Cassis, who was chairing a UN Security Council meeting in New York for the second time on Thursday, the same day that a UN mission had spoken of crimes against humanity by Russia in Ukraine.
Cassis recalled that the OSCE was the largest regional security organisation in the world, uniting all actors in the conflict, including Moscow. This makes the OSCE indispensable, he said.
He added that it was up to everyone to preserve the OSCE’s capacity to act. As he has done repeatedly for more than a year, Cassis called on Moscow to end the aggression in Ukraine and withdraw Russian troops. “This war has already caused too much suffering,” he said.
More
More
Swiss foreign minister chairs UN Security Council for first time
This content was published on
Switzerland presided over the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The country holds the rotating role for one month.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
This content was published on
The new regulation targets plants developed through new breeding technologies that don’t include transgenic genetic material.
WHO faces $1.8 billion budget shortfall amid US withdrawal
This content was published on
The 2026-2027 budget for the Geneva-based organisation has been reduced to $4.2 billion, on top of this year’s $600 million shortfall.
Swiss government proposes lifting nuclear power ban
This content was published on
While the centre-right and the energy sector are welcoming the Swiss government’s counter-proposal, the Greens are threatening to call a referendum.
Switzerland provisionally signs agreement on EU programmes
This content was published on
The agreement on EU programmes covers Switzerland’s involvement in initiatives like Horizon Europe, Euratom, ITER, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and EU4Health.
Record-breaking winter for Swiss tourism driven by foreign visitors
This content was published on
A survey by Switzerland Tourism suggests this winter has outdone last season's record, largely thanks to foreign visitors and favourable weather conditions.
Swiss study predicts rise in global antibiotic use in farming
This content was published on
Global antibiotic use in livestock farming could rise by 2040, says a study by FAO and the University of Zurich. Switzerland expects minimal change.
Initiative calls for 36-week parental leave in Switzerland
This content was published on
The initiative proposes 18 weeks of non-transferable leave per parent to be taken alternately within ten years of implementation.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss role in eastern Ukraine prisoner swap
This content was published on
Switzerland has welcomed a prisoner exchange this week in eastern Ukraine, saying Swiss OSCE diplomats were instrumental in the deal.
This content was published on
“It has been a privileged position for Switzerland to a be at the forefront of the efforts to help de-escalate a geo-strategic conflict in Ukraine,” explained Christian Nünlist of the Center for Security Studies at the Zurich-based Federal Institute of Technology. Nünlist says the mediation between Ukraine and Russia has put the Organization for Security…
Departure of OSCE head a setback for dialogue and negotiation
This content was published on
Thomas Greminger's departure from the European security body shows that Swiss ideals of neutrality and humanitarianism are being challenged.
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.