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Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on the occasion of the 2026 Swiss Press Award ceremony in Bern – Check against delivery

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) – Check against delivery

On 14 April, Dutch police arrested six individuals in the Netherlands following a joint investigation with Germany, France and Switzerland. A seventh suspect was also arrested in the Netherlands on 22 April. In the course of this same international investigation, two other suspects had already been arrested in December 2025. Those arrested are accused of carrying out explosive attacks on automated teller machines (ATMs) in Germany and Switzerland. The Federal Office of Police (fedpol) and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, in close cooperation with the relevant cantonal police forces and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), played a decisive role in achieving this outcome.

On 14 April, Dutch police arrested six individuals in the Netherlands following a joint investigation with Germany, France and Switzerland. A seventh suspect was also arrested in the Netherlands on 22 April. In the course of this same international investigation, two other suspects had already been arrested in December 2025. Those arrested are accused of carrying out explosive attacks on automated teller machines (ATMs) in Germany and Switzerland. The Federal Office of Police (fedpol) and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, in close cooperation with the relevant cantonal police forces and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), played a decisive role in achieving this outcome.

Switzerland reaffirmed the strategic dimension of its relationship with Morocco, a key partner in North Africa, when the Moroccan foreign minister, Nasser Bourita, visited Bern and was received by federal councillors Ignazio Cassis and Beat Jans. Discussions centred on the two nations' increased cooperation on economic affairs and migration, shared commitments on climate change, and a convergence of views on regional issues, particularly in the Middle East and Western Sahara, within the multilateral framework of the UN.

A small team from the Swiss embassy has returned to Tehran this week. The embassy was temporarily closed on 11 March 2026 due to the precarious security situation. The technical team of four Swiss employees is now preparing the gradual resumption of embassy operations.

President Guy Parmelin will travel to Serbia and North Macedonia next week. The visit to Belgrade on Tuesday, 28 April, following an invitation from Serbia to pay a state visit, will mark the 110th anniversary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia. The new cooperation programme will also be launched in Belgrade. The first-ever Swiss presidential visit to North Macedonia will take place on 29 April. This highlights the increasingly close ties between the two countries. The president will be accompanied on his visit by a high-level economic delegation.

In 2024, health care costs amounted to CHF 97 billion, 4% more than the year before. Almost two-thirds of health care funding came from households’ own pockets and health insurance premiums. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the partial data available suggest that costs will rise by more than 3% in 2025.

On 15 April, the Federal Council reached a decision to participate in Expo 2030 Riyadh – an opportunity to promote Swiss interests and raise the country’s profile on the global stage. The Swiss pavilion will position the country as a trustworthy and high-performing partner in business, innovation and global governance. The Federal Council has tasked the FDFA with submitting a dispatch to Parliament in the first quarter of 2027, seeking approval for the necessary commitment appropriation. During his visit to Saudi Arabia on 23 April 2026, President Guy Parmelin officially informed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Federal Council’s decision.

On 23 April, President Guy Parmelin and Saudi Minister of Investment Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif signed an investment protection agreement between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

In consultation with the commune of Allschwil and the Canton of Basel-Landschaft, SEM is exploring the possibility of building a new federal asylum centre on the existing site. The current temporary accommodation, which provides 150 places, dates from 1992 and now only partially meets current requirements in terms of building service, energy efficiency and operational requirements. A comprehensive feasibility study commissioned by the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) is being conducted to determine whether and how a new FAC could be built on the commune's works depot site in Allschwil.

President Guy Parmelin travelled to Jeddah on 22 and 23 April for a presidential visit marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. He held bilateral talks with His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and with the Minister of Investment, Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif. Meetings were also held with representatives from the business community.