Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is a department of the federal administration of Switzerland
. It is charged with maintaining the foreign relations of Switzerland
and serves as Switzerland
's ministry of foreign affairs. As of 2008, the department is headed by Federal Councillor
Micheline Calmy-Rey
of the Social Democratic Party
.
It is also responsible for public relations, supervising the embassies and consulates
, coordinating the department’s information and communications technology and implementing the federal Act on Freedom of Information within the federal administration.
As of 2008, the General Secretariat is led by Secretary-General Peter Müller
. It has a staff of 53, no revenues and annual expenditures of CHF 45 million.
is second in command in the department, and the principal foreign policy advisor of the Swiss Federal Council
. He heads the Directorate of Political Affairs and is responsible for the development and strategic planning of Swiss foreign policy
and for reporting to the political authorities. The State Secretary deputises for the Head of Department when necessary, for example at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Swiss National Council and the Council of States
. He is also responsible for maintaining regular contacts with his counterparts abroad and in Bern. Important dossiers include cooperation with the UN, the further development of Switzerland’s relations with the EU
as well as security and peace policy.
The Integration Office, a joint office of the FDFA and the FDEA, reports to the State Secretariat. The Integration Office coordinates relations with the European Union
and the European Free Trade Association
(EFTA). The protocol section, responsible for diplomatic protocol, ceremony and precedence
, is also part of the State Secretariat.
As of 2008, the State Secretariat is led by Secretary of State Michael Ambühl.
Together with the Directorate of Political Affairs, it has a staff of 271, no revenue and annual expenditures of CHF 270 million.
. It is the office within the Department where Switzerland’s foreign policy is formulated and to which all Switzerland’s missions abroad
report. The Directorate has four geographical and five thematic divisions:
Presence Switzerland, which reports to the Directorate of Political Affairs, is an agency charged with promoting Switzerland abroad.
. The SDC is responsible for the security of these representations, and also for the communication channels and coordination between the Swiss representations abroad and the head office in Bern.
In addition, legislation, the application of law and legal advice for the department (with the exception of questions of international law) are included in the DM’s remit. The Swiss Government Travel Centre, which organises the official international travel arrangements for the whole of the federal administration and the government VIP aircraft, is also part of this directorate. As of May 2008, the directorship of the DCM is vacant. The DCM has a staff of 306, annual revenues of CHF 40 million and annual expenditures of CHF 174 million.
. It deals with topics such as neutrality
, human rights
and international humanitarian law
, the legal aspects of cross-border cooperation, and the issue of dealing with the proceeds of corruption
.
The Directorate of International Law is charged with ensuring that Switzerland meets its international legal obligations both abroad and at home. It is involved in the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of agreements based on international law. It is also responsible for ensuring that Swiss legal claims vis-à-vis foreign states and entities are enforced. As of 2008, the DPIL is led by Director Paul Seger. It has a staff of 41, no revenues and annual expenditures of CHF 6 million.
(SDC) engages in development cooperation and provides humanitarian aid
on behalf of Switzerland. As of 2008, the FOGE is led by Director Martin Dahinden. It has a staff of 536, no revenues and annual expenditures of CHF 1,433 million.
Federal administration of Switzerland
The federal administration of Switzerland is the ensemble of agencies that constitute, together with the Swiss Federal Council, the executive branch of the Swiss federal authorities...
. It is charged with maintaining the foreign relations of Switzerland
Foreign relations of Switzerland
The foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs . Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland.-History:...
and serves as Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
's ministry of foreign affairs. As of 2008, the department is headed by Federal Councillor
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
Micheline Calmy-Rey
Micheline Calmy-Rey
Micheline Anne-Marie Calmy-Rey is the President of the Confederation in Switzerland, head of government. She is also Switzerland's foreign minister as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2003, and was President of the...
of the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland is the largest centre-left political party in Switzerland....
.
Organization
The FDFA is composed of a General Secretariat and the State Secretariat, to which the department's directorates and agencies are subordinate.General Secretariat
As the FDFA’s staff office, the General Secretariat supports the foreign minister in the management of the department. It plans and coordinates all departmental activities.It is also responsible for public relations, supervising the embassies and consulates
Diplomatic missions of Switzerland
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Switzerland, excluding honorary consulates. 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 War...
, coordinating the department’s information and communications technology and implementing the federal Act on Freedom of Information within the federal administration.
As of 2008, the General Secretariat is led by Secretary-General Peter Müller
Peter Müller
Peter Müller may refer to:* Peter Mueller , NHL player for the Colorado Avalanche* Peter Mueller , former speed skater and speed skating coach from the United States...
. It has a staff of 53, no revenues and annual expenditures of CHF 45 million.
State Secretariat
The Secretary of StateSecretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
is second in command in the department, and the principal foreign policy advisor of the Swiss Federal Council
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
. He heads the Directorate of Political Affairs and is responsible for the development and strategic planning of Swiss foreign policy
Foreign relations of Switzerland
The foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs . Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland.-History:...
and for reporting to the political authorities. The State Secretary deputises for the Head of Department when necessary, for example at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Swiss National Council and the Council of States
Swiss Council of States
The Council of States of Switzerland is the smaller chamber of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, and is considered the Assembly's upper house. There are 46 Councillors....
. He is also responsible for maintaining regular contacts with his counterparts abroad and in Bern. Important dossiers include cooperation with the UN, the further development of Switzerland’s relations with the EU
Switzerland and the European Union
Relations between Switzerland and the European Union are framed by a series of bilateral treaties whereby Switzerland adopts EU law in order to participate in the EU's single market.-Trade:...
as well as security and peace policy.
The Integration Office, a joint office of the FDFA and the FDEA, reports to the State Secretariat. The Integration Office coordinates relations with the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and the European Free Trade Association
European Free Trade Association
The European Free Trade Association or EFTA is a free trade organisation between four European countries that operates parallel to, and is linked to, the European Union . EFTA was established on 3 May 1960 as a trade bloc-alternative for European states who were either unable to, or chose not to,...
(EFTA). The protocol section, responsible for diplomatic protocol, ceremony and precedence
Swiss order of precedence
The Swiss order of precedence is a hierarchy of important positions within the government of Switzerland. It has no legal standing but is used by ceremonial protocol....
, is also part of the State Secretariat.
As of 2008, the State Secretariat is led by Secretary of State Michael Ambühl.
Together with the Directorate of Political Affairs, it has a staff of 271, no revenue and annual expenditures of CHF 270 million.
Directorate of Political Affairs
Also led by the Secretary of State, the Directorate of Political Affairs is the central office for collecting and processing the information needed to implement Swiss foreign policyForeign relations of Switzerland
The foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs . Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland.-History:...
. It is the office within the Department where Switzerland’s foreign policy is formulated and to which all Switzerland’s missions abroad
Diplomatic missions of Switzerland
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Switzerland, excluding honorary consulates. 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 War...
report. The Directorate has four geographical and five thematic divisions:
- Political Affairs Division I (EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Council of EuropeCouncil of EuropeThe Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, OSCE, cross-border cooperation) - Political Affairs Division II / The AmericasAmericasThe Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
- Political Affairs Division II / AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and the Middle EastMiddle EastThe Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East... - Political Affairs Division II / AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
-Pacific - Political Affairs Division III / United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, Swiss activities in international organisations, host-state policy, Francophonie - Political Affairs Division IV (Peace policy and human securityHuman securityHuman security is an emerging paradigm for understanding global vulnerabilities whose proponents challenge the traditional notion of national security by arguing that the proper referent for security should be the individual rather than the state...
, human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
policy, humanitarian policy and migrationHuman migrationHuman migration is physical movement by humans from one area to another, sometimes over long distances or in large groups. Historically this movement was nomadic, often causing significant conflict with the indigenous population and their displacement or cultural assimilation. Only a few nomadic...
, Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peace Building) - Political Affairs Division V (financial and economic issues; the environment, transport, energy and science; cultural affairs)
- Political Affairs Division VI (services for and policy on the Swiss diaspora, consular protection, travel information and crisis managementCrisis managementCrisis management is the process by which an organization deals with a major event that threatens to harm the organization, its stakeholders, or the general public. The study of crisis management originated with the large scale industrial and environmental disasters in the 1980's.Shrivastava, P....
) - Secretariat of Political Affairs (analyses, documentation and planning; international security policySecurity policySecurity policy is a definition of what it means to be secure for a system, organization or other entity. For an organization, it addresses the constraints on behavior of its members as well as constraints imposed on adversaries by mechanisms such as doors, locks, keys and walls...
)
Presence Switzerland, which reports to the Directorate of Political Affairs, is an agency charged with promoting Switzerland abroad.
Directorate of Corporate Management
The Directorate of Corporate Management (DCM) is responsible for managing Swiss consular services and the department's resources such as personnel, finance, logistics, IT equipment and licences. It also manages the network of Swiss diplomatic and consular representationsDiplomatic missions of Switzerland
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Switzerland, excluding honorary consulates. 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 War...
. The SDC is responsible for the security of these representations, and also for the communication channels and coordination between the Swiss representations abroad and the head office in Bern.
In addition, legislation, the application of law and legal advice for the department (with the exception of questions of international law) are included in the DM’s remit. The Swiss Government Travel Centre, which organises the official international travel arrangements for the whole of the federal administration and the government VIP aircraft, is also part of this directorate. As of May 2008, the directorship of the DCM is vacant. The DCM has a staff of 306, annual revenues of CHF 40 million and annual expenditures of CHF 174 million.
Directorate of Public International Law
The Directorate of Public International Law serves as the “legal conscience” of the FDFA and as the government’s central office for international lawInternational law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
. It deals with topics such as neutrality
Neutral country
A neutral power in a particular war is a sovereign state which declares itself to be neutral towards the belligerents. A non-belligerent state does not need to be neutral. The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in Sections 5 and 13 of the Hague Convention of 1907...
, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
, the legal aspects of cross-border cooperation, and the issue of dealing with the proceeds of corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
.
The Directorate of International Law is charged with ensuring that Switzerland meets its international legal obligations both abroad and at home. It is involved in the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of agreements based on international law. It is also responsible for ensuring that Swiss legal claims vis-à-vis foreign states and entities are enforced. As of 2008, the DPIL is led by Director Paul Seger. It has a staff of 41, no revenues and annual expenditures of CHF 6 million.
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
The Swiss Agency for Development and CooperationSwiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation is an office-level agency in the federal administration of Switzerland, and a part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs...
(SDC) engages in development cooperation and provides humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
on behalf of Switzerland. As of 2008, the FOGE is led by Director Martin Dahinden. It has a staff of 536, no revenues and annual expenditures of CHF 1,433 million.
List of heads of department
Until 1978, the department was called the "Political Department" and was traditionally headed by the annually rotating President of the Confederation.
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