Switzerland

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Switzerland

Constitution Human rights Constitution Federal Council List of members Moritz Leuenberger Pascal Couchepin (Pres. 08) Samuel Schmid Micheline Calmy-Rey Hans-Rudolf Merz (VP 08) Doris Leuthard Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf Federal Chancellor Corina Casanova Federal administration Federal Assembly Council of States List of members National Council List of members Political parties Elections Voting in Switzerland 2003 2007 Federal judiciary Federal Supreme Court Federal Criminal Court Federal Administrative Court Foreign policy Switzerland and the European Union Foreign relations Subdivisions Cantons Municipalities

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The foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Politics of Switzerland takes place in the framework of a multi-party federal parliamentary democratic Republic, whereby the Human rights are comprehensively guaranteed in Switzerland, one of Europe's oldest democracies. The Federal Constitution of 18 April 1999 (Bundesverfassung der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse Constituzione federale della Confederazione The Swiss Federal Council (Schweizerischer Bundesrat Conseil fédéral suisse Consiglio federale svizzero Cussegl federal This is a list of members of the Swiss Federal Council (Schweizerischer Bundesrat Conseil fédéral suisse Consiglio federale svizzero Cussegl federal svizzer Moritz Leuenberger (born 21 September 1946 is a Swiss Politician, Lawyer, member of the Swiss Federal Council since 1995 and President Pascal Couchepin (born April 5, 1942) is a Swiss Politician, member of the Swiss Federal Council since 1998 and President of The President of the Confederation (Bundespräsident Président de la Confédération Presidente della Confederazione President da la Confederaziun is the presiding member Samuel Schmid (born January 8, 1947) has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2000. Micheline Calmy-Rey (born July 8, 1945) is a Swiss politician member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2002 Hans-Rudolf Merz (born 10 November 1942 is a Swiss politician of the Free Democratic Party (FDP/PRD and Member of the Swiss Federal Council (since 2003 The President of the Confederation (Bundespräsident Président de la Confédération Presidente della Confederazione President da la Confederaziun is the presiding member Doris Leuthard (born 10 April 1963) is a Swiss politician and lawyer Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (born 16 March 1956) is a Swiss lawyer politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2008 The Federal Chancellor (Bundeskanzler(in Chancelier(-ière fédéral(e Cancelliere(-a della Confederazione Chancelier(a federal(a is the head of the Federal Chancellery Corina Casanova (born 4 January 1956) is the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland. The federal administration of Switzerland (Bundesverwaltung Administration fédérale Amministrazione federale is the ensemble of agencies that constitute together with the The Federal Assembly (in German, Bundesversammlung; in French, Assemblée fédérale; in Italian, Assemblea federale The Council of States of Switzerland (Ständerat Conseil des Etats Consiglio degli Stati Cussegl dals Stadis is the smaller chamber of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland This is a list of members of the Swiss Council of States of the 48th legislature (2007-2011 The National Council of Switzerland (Nationalrat Conseil National Consiglio Nazionale Cussegl Naziunal is the larger Chamber of the parliament with 200 seats This is a list of the 200 members of the Swiss National Council for the 2007 - 2011 legislative term current as of 25 November 2007 Political parties in Switzerland lists political parties in Switzerland. Elections in Switzerland gives information on Election and election results in Switzerland. Voting in Switzerland is the process by which Swiss citizens make decisions about Governance and elect Officials Voting takes place over the week-end with Legislative elections in the Swiss Confederation were held on 19 October 2003. Elections to the Swiss Federal Assembly, the federal parliament of Switzerland, were held on Sunday October 21, 2007. The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland (Bundesgericht Tribunal fédéral Tribunale federale Tribunal federal is the Supreme court of Switzerland. The Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland ( FCC; Bundesstrafgericht Tribunal pénal fédéral Tribunale penale federale Tribunal federal penala is the court The Federal Administrative Court of Switzerland ( FAC; Bundesverwaltungsgericht Tribunal administratif fédéral Tribunale amministrativo federale Tribunal Switzerland took part in negotiating the European Economic Area agreement with the European Union. The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the states of the Federal state of Switzerland. Municipalities (sometimes called communities or communes, after the French/Italian names are the smallest government division in Switzerland and are called Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA (Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten Département fédéral des affaires étrangères Dipartimento federale Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation The federal administration of Switzerland (Bundesverwaltung Administration fédérale Amministrazione federale is the ensemble of agencies that constitute together with the

History

The 1999 Swiss Constitution declares the preservation of Switzerland's independence and welfare as the supreme objective of Swiss foreign policy. The Federal Constitution of 18 April 1999 (Bundesverfassung der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse Constituzione federale della Confederazione 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;
• promote preservation of natural resources. Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life including food clothing shelter and safe Drinking water, and Natural resources are naturally occurring substances that are considered valuable in their relatively unmodified ( natural) form

These objectives reflect the Swiss moral obligation to undertake social, economic, and humanitarian activities that contribute to world peace and prosperity. World peace is an ideal of freedom, Peace, and Happiness among and within all nations 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. International law is the term commonly used for referring to the system of implicit and explicit agreements that bind together nation-states in adherence to recognized values and standards International humanitarian law ( IHL) often referred to as the Laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict

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. For other uses of Neutral and Neutrality see Neutral A neutral country takes no side in a War between other parties

Switzerland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and historically has served as a neutral intermediary and host to major international treaty conferences. For other uses of Neutral and Neutrality see Neutral A neutral country takes no side in a War between other parties The country has no major dispute in its bilateral relations.

Switzerland (mainly Geneva) is home to many international governmental and nongovernmental organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (whose flag is essentially the Swiss flag with colours reversed, the Red Cross historically being a Swiss organisation). Geneva (Genève is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French -speaking "ICRC" redirects here For other uses see ICRC (disambiguation. One of the first international organisations, the Universal Postal Union, is located in Bern. The Universal Postal Union ( UPU, French: Union postale universelle) is an International organization that coordinates postal policies among member The city of Berne or Bern (, Berne, Berna, Romansh: Berna, Bernese German: Bärn) is the Bundesstadt ( Federal

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. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security A referendum (plural referendums or referenda) ballot question, or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) The 2002 vote made Switzerland the first country to join based on a popular vote.

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. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members The Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC) of the United Nations assists the General Assembly in promoting international economic and social cooperation Prior to full membership it had no right to a seat as one of the elected members of the UN Security Council. Since 1966, the UN Security Council has included 10 elected (non-permanent members

Switzerland has fully participated within many of the UN's specialised 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. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE or ECE was established in 1947 to encourage economic cooperation among its member States The UN Environment Programme (or UNEP) coordinates United Nations environmental activities assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR (established December 14, 1950) is a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD) was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO, French/Spanish acronym ONUDI, is a specialized agency in the United Nations system headquartered The Universal Postal Union ( UPU, French: Union postale universelle) is an International organization that coordinates postal policies among member Switzerland has also furnished military observers and medical teams to several UN operations.

Switzerland is a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice. See also International Commission of Jurists The International Court of Justice (known colloquially as the World Court or ICJ; Cour

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. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The government lifted the trade embargo, flight restrictions, and financial sanctions in place since August 1990. In international Commerce and politics, an embargo is the prohibition of commerce Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) 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. The State of Kuwait ( دولة الكويت IPA [dawlatt̪ alkuwajt̪]) is a sovereign Arab Emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed

Switzerland also has joined UN economic sanctions imposed on Libya, Sierra Leone, UNITA (Angola), Liberia, and Serbia/Montenegro. Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola ( União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola) is the second-largest Political party in Angola. Angola, officially the Republic of Angola (República de Angola Pronounced ʁɛˈpublikɐ dɨ ɐ̃ˈgɔlɐ Repubilika ya Ngola is a country in south-central Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country Montenegro ( British English) Montenegrin / Serbian: PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE LANGUAGES WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE! On October 15, 2003, the Federal Council ended the import restrictions on raw diamonds from Sierra Leone and lifted sanctions against Libya. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the The Swiss Federal Council (Schweizerischer Bundesrat Conseil fédéral suisse Consiglio federale svizzero Cussegl federal

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). 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately 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. Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound, giving Vinegar its sour taste Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, The weapons embargo, travel restrictions, and financial sanctions remain in force.

The Swiss Government in November 2001 issued an ordinance declaring illegal the terrorist organisation Al-Qaida as well as possible successor or supporting organisations. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The 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 totalling U. S. $22. 6 million.

Other international organisations

Participation in peacekeeping

The Swiss electorate rejected a government proposition to deploy Swiss troops as UN peacekeepers (the Blue Helmets) in 1994. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar)

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. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) The North Atlantic Treaty Partnership for Peace (PfP is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO program aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in Europe and the former The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council ( EAPC) a NATO institution is a multilateral forum created to improve relations between NATO and non-NATO countries in Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Latin script: Bosna i Hercegovina, Cyrillic script: Босна и Херцеговина is a country on the Balkan 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. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Legislation (or " Statutory law " is law which has been promulgated (or " Enacted quot by a Legislature or other Governing

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 (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Principality of Liechtenstein (Fürstentum Liechtenstein) is a tiny doubly landlocked Alpine country in Western Europe, bordered by Switzerland

Since 1980, Switzerland has represented U.S. interests in Iran. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics.

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. Sudan (officially the Republic of Sudan) ( السودان al-Sūdān is a country in northeastern Africa. The Nuba Mountains are a Mountain range in Kordofan, a province in central Sudan, Africa. Lucerne ( Italian Lucerna) is a city in Switzerland. It is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Switzerland has also sent services to allied troops in the War in Afghanistan^[1]. The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7 2001 as the U

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.

See also

• Politics of Switzerland
• Diplomatic missions of Switzerland
• Switzerland and the European Union

References

External links

• Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs. Politics of Switzerland takes place in the framework of a multi-party federal parliamentary democratic Republic, whereby the Switzerland is well known as a Protecting power, having used its embassies abroad to represent the interests of states hostile to each other since the Franco-Prussian Switzerland took part in negotiating the European Economic Area agreement with the European Union.
• Swiss Diplomatic Documents (DDS)
• Switzerland and the United Nations