Federal Council adopts new strategy for communication abroad
The Federal Council’s new strategy for promoting Switzerland’s image abroad is aimed more at fostering international understanding of Switzerland’s unique characteristics—for example, with regard to its financial center, tax system, and bilateral agreements. In addition, the goal is to position Switzerland as a model country for environmental and transportation policy.
Switzerland is to become increasingly known as a reference country for modern environmental and transport policy and as a location for cutting-edge technology. This is the aim of the Federal Council's strategy for communication abroad. The Federal Council adopted this strategy for 2010-2011 on Friday.
Furthermore, the aim is to promote understanding of the Swiss political system and political solutions among foreign politicians and journalists. This applies, for example, to the financial center, tax legislation and, in particular, the bilateral approach with the EU.
On January 1, 2009, the Federal Council also brought the completely revised Ordinance on the Maintenance of Switzerland's Image Abroad into force. This implements the decision to dissolve the Presence Switzerland Commission and integrate the organization's office into the General Secretariat of the FDFA.
The ordinance was expanded to include the FDFA's new tasks for image management in extraordinary situations, which were defined by the Federal Council at the beginning of September. If Switzerland is threatened by an image crisis, Presence Switzerland is to monitor the perception of the country abroad more closely so that a rapid and comprehensive response can be made.
Furthermore, the aim is to promote understanding of the Swiss political system and political solutions among foreign politicians and journalists. This applies, for example, to the financial center, tax legislation and, in particular, the bilateral approach with the EU.
On January 1, 2009, the Federal Council also brought the completely revised Ordinance on the Maintenance of Switzerland's Image Abroad into force. This implements the decision to dissolve the Presence Switzerland Commission and integrate the organization's office into the General Secretariat of the FDFA.
The ordinance was expanded to include the FDFA's new tasks for image management in extraordinary situations, which were defined by the Federal Council at the beginning of September. If Switzerland is threatened by an image crisis, Presence Switzerland is to monitor the perception of the country abroad more closely so that a rapid and comprehensive response can be made.
