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The foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland.
Article 54 of the Swiss Constitution of 1999 declares the safeguarding of Switzerland's independence and welfare as the principal objective of Swiss foreign policy. Below this overarching goal, the Constitution specifies these foreign policy objectives:
These objectives reflect the Swiss moral obligation to undertake social, economic, and humanitarian activities that contribute to world peace and prosperity. 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.
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. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and joined the United Nations very late compared to its European neighbours.
Switzerland maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries and historically has served as a neutral intermediary and host to major international treaty conferences. 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 Olympic Committee, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the European Broadcasting Union. One of the first international organisations, the Universal Postal Union, is located in Bern.
Switzerland, fearing that its status as a neutral country would be damaged, did not join the United Nations when it was created in 1945.[2] On 10 September 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. The 2002 vote made Switzerland the first and only country to join based on a popular vote.[3] Conversely, on 17 May 1992, Swiss voters approved by a healthy margin (55 percent in favour) the decision to join the IMF and the World Bank. Less than two weeks later, but a full two years after the initial application, Switzerland finally became a member of the IMF on 29 May of that same year.
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. Prior to full membership it had no right to a seat as one of the elected members of the UN Security Council. Switzerland was elected as a member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2023–2024 on 9 June 2022. Switzerland says it intends to play its role as a "bridge builder".[4] Other stated priorities are peace building, supporting women into the political process, minorities rights and human rights and more transparency from the Security Council.[5]
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. Switzerland has also furnished military observers and medical teams to several UN operations.[which?]
Switzerland is a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice.
The Swiss government on 25 June 2003, eased most of the sanctions against the Republic of Iraq in accord with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483. The government lifted the trade embargo, flight restrictions, and financial sanctions in place since August 1990. 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.
Switzerland also has joined UN economic sanctions imposed on Libya, Sierra Leone, UNITA (Angola), Liberia, and Serbia/Montenegro. On 15 October 2003, the Federal Council ended the import restrictions on raw diamonds from Sierra Leone and lifted sanctions against Libya.
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). On 2 May 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), Afghan airlines, and Afghan diplomatic representations. 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-Qaeda as well as possible successor or supporting organisations. 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.
Switzerland and Denmark signed a treaty of Friendship in 1875.
Switzerland is a member of many international organizations, including the World Trade Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Free Trade Association, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Atomic Energy Agency, and International Telecommunications Satellite Organization. Its central bank is a member of the Bank for International Settlements, based in Basel.
Switzerland is an active participant in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, its foreign minister serving as Chairman-in-Office for 1996. Switzerland also is an active participant in the major nonproliferation and export control regimes.
Although it is surrounded by member nations, Switzerland is not a member nation of the European Union. In 1992 Swiss voters approved membership in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, but later that year rejected the European Economic Area agreement, which the government viewed as a first step toward European Union membership. The Swiss instead take part in the European single market and Schengen through bilateral treaties.
ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, CGPM, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD (World Bank), ICAO, ICC, ICC, ICDO, ICFTU, ICMM, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFCS, IFRCS, IGC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, IWC, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIE, OPCW, OSCE, OTIF, PCA, PFP, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC.
While the Swiss electorate did reject a government proposition to directly deploy Swiss troops as UN peacekeepers (the Blue Helmets) in 1994, a total of 23 Swiss personnel including police and military observers (the Blue Berets) have served or are now serving for the United Nations. These dispositions are impartial, clearly defined and cover a number of UN projects around the globe.[6]
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. 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.
Since 1999, the Swiss army is participating through SWISSCOY in the peace keeping mission of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) based on UN-resolution 1244, with prolonged presence until 2014, after approval by the Swiss federal assembly in Spring 2011. Main duties include the supervision of civilian reconstruction efforts, monitoring and protection of patrimonial sites, military police and medical assistance.[7]
Under a series of treaties concluded after the First World War, Switzerland assumed responsibility for the diplomatic and consular representation of Liechtenstein, the protection of its borders, and the regulation of its customs.
Due to its long-standing neutrality, Switzerland has served as the protecting power for many countries, that did not have diplomatic relations with each other. This reached an apex during the Second World War, when Switzerland formally undertook 219 mandates for 35 states, and represented another eight states unofficially.[8] After the Second World War, Switzerland served an additional 67 mandates for various countries, including those between Cuba and other nations in the Western Hemisphere after the 1959 Cuban Revolution, between Middle Eastern nations following the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and between India and Pakistan prior to the formalization of relations in 1976.
Switzerland also represented Cuba in the United States between 1991 and 2015.[9] [check quotation syntax] Today, Switzerland has seven protecting power mandates:
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. Switzerland has also sent services to allied troops in the War in Afghanistan.[11]
Switzerland is also playing a major role in Palestinian politics, trying to act as a mediator between Fatah and Hamas regarding the integration of employees in Gaza. The Swiss diplomatic efforts lead to an agreement called "the Swiss Document" which initially was approved by both Palestinian parties.[12]
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland decided to adopt all EU sanctions against Russia. According to the Swiss President Ignazio Cassis, the measures were "unprecedented but consistent with Swiss neutrality". The administration also confirmed that Switzerland would continue to offer its services to find a peaceful solution in the conflict. Switzerland only participates in humanitarian missions and provides relief supplies to the Ukrainian population and neighbouring countries.[13] In August 2022, Russia rejected a proposed Swiss mandate to represent Ukrainian interests in Russia, considering that Switzerland had lost its neutral status.[14]
On 18 April 2023, Federal Councilor Alain Berset paid an official visit to Berlin, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. At the center of the discussions was the refusal by Switzerland to allow the re-exporting of ammunition and arms to the crisis region in Ukraine. While the talks took place in a friendly atmosphere, Alain Berset insisted on the traditional application of Swiss neutrality towards the sale of military hardware to Germany for use in that conflict. A number of parliamentary efforts by Swiss lawmakers to allow such sales were already rejected previously.[15]
On 1 May 2023, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef made an official visit to the Swiss Confederation, meeting with Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, and Chairwoman of the Board at Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), Barbara Hayoz. The talks were mainly addressing export cooperation between the two nations, and the Saudi minister also held a talk at the meeting of the World Economic Forum in January 2023. Switzerland also represented Saudi interests in Iran before diplomatic relations were restored in April 2023.[16][17]
List of countries which Switzerland maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | France | 29 November 1516[18] |
— | Holy See | 1553[19] |
2 | United Kingdom | 30 August 1689[20] |
3 | Netherlands | 31 January 1814[21] |
4 | Russia | 6 March 1814[22] |
5 | Uruguay | 1828[23] |
6 | El Salvador | 1841[24] |
7 | Belgium | 30 September 1845[25] |
8 | United States | 29 June 1853[26] |
9 | Brazil | 1855[27] |
10 | Italy | 12 February 1860[28] |
11 | Japan | 6 February 1864[29] |
12 | Costa Rica | 1865[30] |
13 | Portugal | 5 November 1872[31] |
14 | Denmark | 10 February 1875[32] |
15 | Venezuela | 10 April 1878[33] |
16 | Mexico | 31 December 1882[34] |
17 | Peru | 1884[35] |
18 | Paraguay | 1887[36] |
19 | Sweden | 1887[37] |
20 | Ecuador | 1888[38] |
21 | Argentina | 12 September 1891[39] |
22 | Chile | 31 October 1897[40] |
23 | Turkey | 1899[41] |
24 | Cuba | 18 June 1902[42] |
25 | Panama | 6 May 1904[43] |
26 | Norway | 22 January 1906[44] |
27 | Guatemala | 14 December 1906[45] |
28 | Colombia | 14 March 1908[46] |
29 | Romania | 9 May 1911[47] |
30 | Bulgaria | 31 October 1915[48] |
31 | Serbia | 1916[49] |
32 | Greece | 8 October 1917[50] |
33 | Luxembourg | 24 November 1917[51] |
34 | Hungary | 1918[52] |
35 | Iran | 4 March 1919[53] |
36 | Poland | 12 March 1919[54] |
37 | Liechtenstein | March 1919[55] |
38 | Czech Republic | 30 April 1919[56] |
39 | Finland | 29 January 1926[57] |
40 | Afghanistan | 20 April 1928[58] |
41 | Thailand | 28 May 1931[59] |
42 | Egypt | 11 March 1935[60] |
43 | Dominican Republic | 1936[61] |
44 | Spain | 14 February 1939[62] |
45 | Ireland | 1939[63] |
46 | Haiti | 29 September 1941[64] |
47 | Canada | 24 June 1945[65] |
48 | Austria | 2 November 1945[66] |
49 | Syria | 1945[67] |
50 | Bolivia | 15 February 1946[68] |
51 | Lebanon | 27 February 1946[69] |
52 | Iraq | 1 May 1946[70] |
53 | Iceland | 15 July 1947[71] |
54 | India | 14 August 1948[72] |
55 | Jordan | 26 March 1949[73] |
56 | Pakistan | 1949[74] |
57 | China | 17 January 1950[75] |
58 | Israel | 25 June 1951[76] |
59 | Indonesia | 2 November 1951[77][78] |
60 | South Africa | 11 March 1952[79] |
61 | Ethiopia | 2 May 1952[80] |
62 | Germany | 6 May 1952[81] |
63 | Saudi Arabia | 12 July 1956[82] |
64 | Sri Lanka | 7 November 1956[83] |
65 | Nepal | 10 November 1956[84] |
66 | Morocco | 28 November 1956[85] |
67 | Tunisia | 1956[86] |
68 | Myanmar | 1 August 1957[87] |
69 | Honduras | 12 August 1957[88] |
70 | Philippines | 30 August 1957[89] |
71 | Laos | 3 September 1957[90] |
72 | Nicaragua | 1957[91] |
73 | Monaco | 27 May 1959[92] |
74 | Somalia | 5 July 1960[93] |
75 | Ghana | 19 July 1960[94] |
76 | Guinea | 19 July 1960[94] |
77 | Liberia | 19 July 1960[94] |
78 | Togo | 19 July 1960[94] |
79 | Nigeria | 1 October 1960[95] |
80 | Sudan | 27 December 1960[96] |
81 | Mali | 26 May 1961[97] |
82 | Mauritania | 26 May 1961[98] |
83 | Niger | 26 May 1961[99] |
84 | Senegal | 26 May 1961[100] |
85 | Australia | 3 June 1961[101] |
86 | Madagascar | 13 June 1961[102] |
87 | Ivory Coast | 26 July 1961[103] |
88 | Libya | 5 September 1961[104] |
89 | Burkina Faso | 17 October 1961[105] |
90 | Cameroon | 9 November 1961[106] |
91 | Benin | 21 November 1961[107] |
92 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 12 October 1962[108] |
93 | Algeria | 13 November 1962[109] |
94 | New Zealand | 4 December 1962[110] |
95 | Jamaica | 12 December 1962[111] |
96 | Sierra Leone | 1962[112] |
97 | Malaysia | 3 January 1963[113] |
98 | South Korea | 11 February 1963[114] |
99 | Rwanda | 12 November 1963[115] |
100 | Cyprus | 3 December 1963[116] |
101 | Chad | 16 December 1963[117] |
102 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1963[118] |
103 | Burundi | 13 January 1964[119] |
104 | Central African Republic | 11 February 1964[120] |
105 | Gabon | 11 February 1964[121] |
106 | Kenya | 28 February 1964[122] |
107 | Uganda | 1 March 1964[123] |
108 | Republic of the Congo | 21 April 1964[121] |
109 | Mongolia | 22 May 1964[124] |
110 | Tanzania | 1964[125] |
111 | Malta | 25 March 1966[126] |
112 | Gambia | 30 March 1966[127] |
113 | Zambia | 10 June 1966[121] |
114 | Malawi | 19 May 1966[128] |
115 | Kuwait | 21 September 1966[129] |
116 | Cambodia | 9 October 1967[130] |
117 | Singapore | 11 October 1967[131] |
118 | Botswana | 22 August 1967[132] |
119 | Lesotho | 22 August 1967[132] |
120 | Equatorial Guinea | 4 November 1968[133] |
121 | Mauritius | 11 March 1969[134] |
122 | Eswatini | 6 August 1969[135] |
123 | Albania | 20 July 1970[136] |
124 | Vietnam | 11 October 1971[137] |
125 | Bangladesh | 14 June 1972[138] |
126 | Yemen | 1972[139] |
127 | Bahrain | 12 September 1973[140] |
128 | Oman | 12 September 1973[140] |
129 | Qatar | 12 September 1973[140] |
130 | United Arab Emirates | 12 September 1973[140] |
131 | Bahamas | June 1974[141] |
132 | North Korea | 20 December 1974[142] |
133 | Mozambique | 12 April 1976[143] |
134 | Papua New Guinea | 2 June 1976[144] |
135 | Angola | 30 September 1976[145] |
136 | Comoros | 1 March 1977[146] |
137 | Guyana | 24 May 1977[147] |
138 | Suriname | 11 July 1979[148] |
139 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 1979[149] |
140 | Barbados | 4 March 1980[150] |
141 | Zimbabwe | 2 July 1980[151] |
142 | Cape Verde | 1980[152] |
143 | Seychelles | 10 March 1981[153] |
144 | Maldives | 23 June 1981[154] |
145 | Samoa | 1 August 1981[155] |
146 | Grenada | 1981[156] |
147 | Vanuatu | 5 May 1982[157] |
148 | Djibouti | 23 December 1982[158] |
149 | Guinea-Bissau | 22 February 1983[159] |
150 | Antigua and Barbuda | 14 December 1983[160] |
151 | Brunei | 1984[161] |
152 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 28 February 1985[162] |
153 | Tonga | 13 September 1985[163] |
154 | Bhutan | 16 September 1985[164] |
155 | Belize | July 1989[165] |
156 | Fiji | 1989[166] |
157 | Namibia | 22 April 1990[167] |
158 | Estonia | 4 September 1991[168] |
159 | Latvia | 5 September 1991[169] |
160 | Lithuania | 5 September 1991[170] |
161 | Azerbaijan | 21 January 1992[171] |
162 | Croatia | 30 January 1992[172] |
163 | Slovenia | 31 January 1992[173] |
164 | Ukraine | 6 February 1992[174] |
165 | Belarus | 10 February 1992[175] |
166 | Kyrgyzstan | 14 February 1992[176] |
167 | Armenia | 30 April 1992[177] |
168 | Uzbekistan | 7 May 1992[178] |
169 | Kazakhstan | 1 June 1992[179] |
170 | Georgia | 10 June 1992[180] |
171 | Turkmenistan | 13 July 1992[181] |
172 | Moldova | 2 September 1992[182] |
173 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 17 November 1992[183] |
174 | Tajikistan | 9 December 1992[184] |
175 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993[185] |
176 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 February 1993[186] |
177 | North Macedonia | 31 December 1993[187] |
178 | Eritrea | 22 March 1994[188] |
179 | San Marino | 10 July 1995[189] |
180 | Andorra | 6 September 1995[190] |
181 | Palau | 31 August 2001[191] |
182 | East Timor | 16 September 2002[192] |
183 | Marshall Islands | 22 January 2003[192] |
184 | Federated States of Micronesia | 22 April 2003[193] |
185 | Nauru | 2003[194] |
186 | Kiribati | 1 June 2004[195] |
187 | Tuvalu | 4 November 2005[196] |
188 | Dominica | 2005[197] |
189 | Saint Lucia | 10 June 2006[198] |
190 | Montenegro | 5 July 2006[199] |
191 | Solomon Islands | 20 December 2007[200] |
— | Kosovo | 28 March 2008[201] |
— | Cook Islands | 7 March 2011[202] |
192 | South Sudan | 23 May 2012[203] |
— | Niue | 9 August 2023[204] |
Organization | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
European Union | 1972 | See Switzerland–European Union relations
|
NATO | See Switzerland–NATO relations
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | 13 November 1962 | |
Angola | 30 September 1976 |
|
Chad | 16 December 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 December 1963 when appointed first Ambassador of Switzerland to Chad (resident in Lagos) Mr. Giovanni Enrico Bucher[205] |
Egypt | 11 March 1935 | See Egypt–Switzerland relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 March 1935 when Mr. Henri Martin, first Minister of Switzerland to Egypt, presented his letters of credentials.[206]
|
Ethiopia | 2 May 1952 |
|
Kenya | 28 February 1964 | See Kenya–Switzerland relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 February 1964 when appointed first Ambassador of Switzerland to Kenya (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Roger Dürr[207]
|
Madagascar | 13 June 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 June 1961.
|
Nigeria | 1 October 1960 | |
Senegal | 26 May 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1961.
|
South Africa | 11 March 1952 | See South Africa–Switzerland relations
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 12 September 1891 | See Argentina–Switzerland relations
|
Brazil |
| |
Canada | 1945 | See Canada–Switzerland relations |
Chile |
| |
Colombia | See Colombia–Switzerland relations
| |
Cuba | 18 June 1902 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 June 1902.
|
Dominican Republic | 1936 | See Dominican Republic-Switzerland relations
|
Mexico | 1827 | See Mexico–Switzerland relations
|
Nicaragua | 1956 |
|
Peru |
|
|
United States | 1853 | See Switzerland–United States relations
The first official U.S.–Swiss consular relations were established in the late 1820s. Diplomatic relations were established in 1853 by the U.S. and in 1868 by Switzerland. The U.S. ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to the Principality of Liechtenstein.
|
Uruguay | 1828 | See Switzerland–Uruguay relations
Both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations, and they established diplomatic relations in 1828.[208][209] Uruguay became a popular destination for Swiss migrants starting in the 1860s.[210] In 1931 Uruguay called for a Swiss style parliamentary system.[211] In the twentieth century, Uruguay has looked to Switzerland as a model for government, historical and cultural ties go back to at least the nineteenth century.[212] There are 956 people with Swiss passports residing in Uruguay in 2009.[213] Uruguay was described as the "Switzerland of the Americas" in a 1951 The New York Times article for its popularity as a haven for capital fleeing Europe at the time and its adoption of Swiss-inspired banking laws.[214] Thomas J. Knight also wrote that "Uruguay has for most of its history been the 'Switzerland' of South America."[215]
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Armenia | See Armenia–Switzerland relations
Switzerland recognized Armenia as an independent state on 23 December 1991. The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations ever since.
| |
Azerbaijan | 21 January 1992 | See Azerbaijan–Switzerland relations |
China | See China–Switzerland relations | |
Georgia |
| |
India | 1948 | See India–Switzerland relations
India is one of Switzerland's most important partners in Asia. Bilateral and political contacts are constantly developing, and trade and scientific cooperation between the two countries are flourishing.[220] Switzerland was the first country in the World to sign a Friendship treaty with India in 1947.[221] |
Indonesia | 2 November 1951 | See Indonesia–Switzerland relations
|
Iran | 4 March 1919 | See Iran–Switzerland relations
|
Iraq | 1 May 1946 | See Iraq–Switzerland relations
In November 2000 Switzerland opened a diplomatic liaison office in Baghdad to safeguard its interests. Bilateral relations became closer after the Iraq War in 2003.
|
Israel | See Israel–Switzerland relations
Switzerland recognized Israel on 25 January 1949 and opened a consulate in Tel Aviv.
| |
Japan | 6 February 1864 |
|
Kazakhstan |
| |
Lebanon |
| |
Malaysia | 1963 | See Malaysia–Switzerland relations
|
North Korea | December 1974[225] | See North Korea–Switzerland relations
|
Northern Cyprus | Northern Cyprus has a Representative Office in Geneva.[226] | |
Pakistan |
Switzerland recognised Pakistan's independence from Great Britain in 1947, and the two states established diplomatic relations in 1949.[227] Switzerland ranks fifth in terms of foreign direct investment in Pakistan.[228][229] | |
Palestine | See Palestine–Switzerland relations
Switzerland has a representative office in Ramallah.[230]
| |
Philippines | 1957 |
Bilateral ties between the Philippines and Switzerland dates back to the early 19th century when Swiss traders, missionaries and travelers went to Southeast Asia. A Swiss representation in the Philippines was proposed in 1851, which was realized with the opening of a Swiss honorary consulate in Manila in 1862. Formal relations was established between the two countries on 30 August 1957.[231]
|
Saudi Arabia | 12 July 1956 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1956. |
Singapore |
| |
South Korea | 11 February 1963[232] | See South Korea–Switzerland relations
The establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Switzerland began on 11 February 1963.
|
Sri Lanka | 7 November 1956 |
See Sri Lanka-Switzerland relations
|
Thailand | 28 May 1931 | See Foreign relations of Thailand
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 1931. |
Turkey | See Switzerland–Turkey relations
| |
United Arab Emirates | 12 September 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 September 1973.
|
Vietnam | 11 October 1971 |
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 20 July 1970 | |
Austria | 1687 | See Austria–Switzerland relations
|
Belarus | 1992 |
|
Belgium | 30 September 1845 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1845 when Constantin Rodenbach has been appointed as first Belgian Charge d'Affaires to Switzerland.[235]
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| |
Bulgaria | 1905 |
|
Croatia |
| |
Cyprus |
| |
Czech Republic |
| |
Denmark | 1875 | See Denmark–Switzerland relations
|
Finland |
| |
France | April 1521 | See France–Switzerland relations
|
Germany | 1871 | See Germany–Switzerland relations |
Greece | 8 October 1917 | See Greece–Switzerland relations |
Hungary |
| |
Ireland |
| |
Italy | 12 February 1860 | See Italy–Switzerland relations |
Kosovo | See Kosovo–Switzerland relations
Switzerland recognized Kosovo on 27 February 2008.[241] Switzerland has an embassy in Pristina since 28 March 2008.[242] Kosovo will open an embassy in Bern. In September 2008, Swiss authorities initially expressed reservation for Designate Ambassador Naim Mala due to his double nationality[243] but latter accepted him. Switzerland currently has 212 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force.[244] | |
Liechtenstein | See Liechtenstein–Switzerland relations
| |
Moldova | 2 September 1992 | See Moldova–Switzerland relations
|
Netherlands |
| |
Norway |
| |
Poland |
| |
Portugal | ||
Romania | See Romania–Switzerland relations
Since the 1990s, Switzerland has helped Romania financially, for a total sum of 140 million Swiss Francs between 1996 and 2006, and an additional 23 million Francs in 2006–2007. Switzerland has become the 12th largest foreign investor in Romania.[245] In 2005, Romania exported goods to Switzerland for a total of 206 million Swiss Francs, with Switzerland exporting for 547 million Swiss Francs to Romania, making Romania the biggest partner of Switzerland in South-West Europe.[246] By 2006, this had increased by 26% from Romania and 38% from Switzerland.[247]
| |
Russia | 1816 | See Russia–Switzerland relations
Switzerland opened a consulate in Saint Petersburg in 1816, upgrading it to a legation 90 years later. The two countries broke off diplomatic relations in 1923, when Russia was going through a period of revolutionary turmoil – and they were not resumed until 1946.
|
Serbia | 1916 | See Serbia–Switzerland relations
|
Slovakia |
| |
Slovenia |
| |
Spain | See Spain–Switzerland relations
| |
Sweden |
| |
Ukraine | 1991 | See Switzerland–Ukraine relations
|
United Kingdom | See Switzerland–United Kingdom relations |
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | 1961 | See Australia–Switzerland relations
Switzerland opened a consulate in Sydney in 1855 and one in Melbourne in 1856. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961.
|
New Zealand | 1963 |
Switzerland opened a consulate in Auckland in 1912. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963.
|
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