Loading AI tools
Bilateral relations From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Switzerland and the United Kingdom have enjoyed close bilateral historical relations for many decades, which continue to this day.
| |
 Switzerland |
 United Kingdom |
|---|---|
Ever since the 18th century British politicians have made much of Switzerland's neutrality on the European continent and repeatedly took Switzerland's side when dealing with other European powers.[1] Since 1900 the United Kingdom has maintained 12 consulates in Switzerland. Switzerland represented British interests in Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and the Axis occupied and allied countries during World War II from 1941 to 1945.[2]
During the Cold War Anglo-Swiss relations became even closer, and due to common interests there was cooperation on a number of issues.[3] Both countries worked together to forestall European integration in the 1960s.[1]
Contacts and relations between the two countries remain close to this day with the respective countries' foreign ministers regularly meeting up to discuss issues of shared concern.[2]
Switzerland has been a favourite destination for British tourists since the 19th century. The UK is the fourth-most important market in the world for Swiss investors. Around 700 Swiss companies currently do business in the UK with the financial sector playing a large role in Anglo-Swiss economic relations.[2] The British Swiss Chamber of Commerce is an independent organization providing network services for its over 500 members.[4]
From 1 January 1973 until 30 December 2020, trade between Switzerland and the UK was governed by the Switzerland–European Union Strade agreements, while the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union.[5] Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the UK and Switzerland signed a continuity trade agreement on 11 February 2019, based on the EU trade agreements; the agreement entered into force on 3 May 2021.[6][7] Trade value between Switzerland and the United Kingdom was worth £53,551 million in 2022.[8]
On 15 May 2023, the United Kingdom and Switzerland talked on an upgraded free trade agreement, with Kemi Badenoch, British trade secretary, flying to Bern aiming to boost financial and professional services exports.[9]
During the Cold War, the Swiss Army unit Projekt-26 received covert training from the British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6.[3] In the event of an invasion of Switzerland, P-26 planned to relocate its command centre to Britain.[3]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
