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Discussions focused on the
New Democratic Pact for Europe.

Bern, Oct. 13.– Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset paid an official visit to Switzerland today. In Bern, he met with President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, President of the National Council Maja Riniker, and Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi. He also held discussions with Raphaël Bez, Secretary General of the European Movement Switzerland.

The visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the close ties between Switzerland and the Council of Europe, built on a shared commitment to the core values of multilateralism, human rights, and democracy. A member of the Organisation since 6 May 1963, Switzerland remains an active and respected participant in the pan-European system.

Sharm el-Sheikh, Oct. 13 (DPnet).– The ceasefire agreement for Gaza was signed today in Sharm el-Sheikh by the main mediating powers: the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. A wider summit, co-chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, included leaders from around 30 countries as witnesses in support of the deal.

"At long last, we have peace in the Middle East," Trump declared on stage, flanked by 20 of some 35 world leaders he invited. "After years of suffering and bloodshed, the war in Gaza is over, humanitarian aid is now pouring in, including hundreds of truckloads of food, medical equipment and other supplies, much of it paid for by people in this room," Trump said, echoing earlier remarks to the press about the importance of acknowledging "some of the richest countries" in attendance that will be picking up the tab on Gaza's reconstruction.

The agreement previously signed by Israeli and HAMAS representatives detailed six stages to the deal, beginning with US President Donald Trump's announcement that the war in Gaza had ended and that "the parties have agreed to implement the necessary steps to that end."

The second step states that "the war will immediately end upon the approval of the Israeli government." The Israeli government approved the first phase of the deal on Thursday.

Geneva, Oct. 6 (AP).– The U.N.’s top human rights body agreed Monday to establish an investigation into human rights violations in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, including those against women and girls, in a move pushed by the European Union.

Unopposed and only with China opting not to join the consensus, the Human Rights Council agreed to establish an “independent and ongoing investigative mechanism” to monitor rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power more than four years ago.

The resolution seeks to prepare files that can be used by international justice, such as in the International Criminal Court, and is based on the work of the special investigator that the council of 47 member countries has already created, among other things.

• The president asserted that joint intelligence and action efforts must be undertaken to combat drug trafficking.
• Petro condemned the US attack on a vessel in the Caribbean: "This operation... we Colombians carry out every day, but without missiles."

Bogota, Oct. 2.– During the Council of Ministers meeting on September 29, 2025, President Gustavo Petro asked Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez to launch the coordination of the Colombian and Venezuelan military forces, which are under the command of dictator Nicolás Maduro.