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.
After the creation of the United Nations in 1945, Switzerland did not join the United Nations for some time, fearing that its status as a neutral country would be damaged.[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]
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 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.
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 OSCEinBosnia. 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]
Representation of foreign entities and in foreign disputes[edit]
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:
United States interests in both Cuba (until 2015) and Iran
Cuban interest in the United States (until 2015)
Iranian interests in both Canada and Egypt
Saudi Arabian and Iranian interests with each other (Iran and Saudi Arabia have direct diplomatic relations since August 2023)[10]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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.
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]
India has an embassy in Bern and consulates in Geneva and Zürich.[218]
Switzerland has an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Bangalore and Mumbai.[219]
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]
In 2010, the heads of state of the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.[222]
Switzerland has named Indonesia as one of seven priority countries for economic development co-operation.[223]
Indonesia has an embassy in Bern, while Switzerland has an embassy in Jakarta, also accredited for East Timor and ASEAN.
On 6 December 1973, the Indonesian and Swiss governments signed an agreement to establish Polytechnic for Mechanics within the Bandung Institute of Technology at Bandung.[224] Today, the Swiss Mechanics Polytechnic has transformed into Bandung State Polytechnic for Manufacture.
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.
Iraq has an embassy in Bern.
Switzerland is accredited to Iraq from its embassy in Amman, Jordan.
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]
Pakistan has an embassy in Bern.
Switzerland has an embassy in Islamabad and a consulate-general in Karachi.
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]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1845 when Constantin Rodenbach has been appointed as first Belgian Charge d'Affaires to Switzerland.[235]
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]
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]
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.
Russia has an embassy in Bern and a consulate-general in Geneva.
^"SWISSCOY (Kosovo)". Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. Federal Administration admin.ch. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
^Schelbert, Leo (2014). "Good offices". Historical Dictionary of Switzerland. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 153. ISBN9781442233522.
^Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Japan, ed. (1874). Treaties and Conventions concluded between Empire of Japan and Foreign Nations, together with Regulations and Communications 1854-1874. Tokyo: Nisshu-sha Printing Office. pp. table of contents.
^Libro amarillo correspondiente al año ...: presentado al Congreso Nacional en sus sesiones ordinarias de ... por el titular despacho (in Spanish). Venezuela. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. 2003. pp. 528–529.
^Revista del Comercio Exterior (in Spanish). Vol. 7. Mexico. Dirección General de Comercio Exterior y del Servicio Consular. 1942. pp. 39–41.
^Memoria (in Spanish). Argentina. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto. 2011. p. 470.
^Egbert, Lawrence Deems; Cooper, Donald H. (1941). Manual de referencia de tratados comerciales latinoamericanos (in Spanish). United States Tariff Commission. p. 113.
^Skřivan, Aleš; Suppan, Arnold (2008). Prague Papers on History of International Relations: 2008 (in German). Institute of World History, Faculty of Arts, Charles University Prague. p. 265.
^"Tchécoslovaquie" (in French). 7 January 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
^Béat de Fischer (1956). Contributions à la connaissance des relations suisses-égyptiennes d'environ 100 à 1949 (in French). Presses de la Maison Ramos, Afonso & Moita. p. 167.
^Malcolm Yapp, Michael Partridge, Paul Preston. British Documents on Foreign Affairs--reports and Papers from the Foreign Office Confidential Print From 1945 through 1950. Near and Middle East · Volume 7. 1999. p. 80.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Europe, France outremer - Issues 382-392 (in French). 1961. p. 61.
^"Newsletter 1/2020"(PDF). sagw.ch (in French). p. 31. Retrieved 23 February 2024. ... Giovanni Enrico Bucher ambassadeur de Suisse au Cameroun avec résidence à Lagos.Le 9 novembre 1961, il présenta ses lettres de créance au président Ahmadou Ahidjo ...
^Monde colonial illustré Volume 39, Issues 383-392 (in French). Société nouvelle des Editions France Outremer S.A. 1961. p. 49.
^Staats-kalender der Schweizerischen eidgenossenschaft Annuaire de la Confédération suisse. Annuario della Confederazione svizzera (in German). Switzerland. Bundeskanzlei, Switzerland. Militärdepartment. 1962. p. 56.
^The Diplomatic Press Trade Directory of Trinidad and Tobago 1963-64. Diplomatic and Publishing Company. 1964. p. 45.
^Études congolaises Volume 6 (in French). Institut politiques congolais and Center de recheret d'information socio-politiques. 1964. p. 71. 13 Janvier ... - M. Marcionelli, ambassadeur de Suisse , présente ses lettres de créance au Mwami Mwambutsa à Bujumbura .
^Africa Research Bulletin. Blackwell. 1964. p. 41.
^"Diplomatic and Consular List"(PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia. March 2020. p. 4-8. Archived from the original(PDF) on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
^Mauritius Directory of the Diplomatic Corps; High Commissions, Embassies, Consulates, International Organization[s]. Mauritius. Ministry of External Affairs, Tourism, and Emigration. 1970. p. 46.
^Revue générale de droit international public droit des gens-histoire diplomatique-droit pénal-droit fiscal-droit administratif · Volume 77, Issue 3 (in French). A. Pedone. 1973. p. 788.
^Béat de Fischer (1956). Contributions à la connaissance des relations suisses-égyptiennes d'environ 100 à 1949 (in French). Presses de la Maison Ramos, Afonso & Moita. p. 167.
^"Uruguay and Switzerland – cultural and economic Benefits from new Market opportunities". Mercosur. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2009. Switzerland and Uruguay feature relatively stable and reliable democracies. And both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations. ... This Swiss settlement was soon to become known for the exceptional quality of its cheese and other dairy products. As transport developed, the farmers began selling their products on an unprecedented scale, notably to Argentina and even to Switzerland. ... Uruguay and Switzerland laid down the cornerstone of their cooperation in 1938: The two countries signed a trade agreement aimed to enhance commercial cooperation. And in 1991, an agreement on the mutual protection of investments became effective.
^"Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Uruguay". Switzerland. Retrieved 14 May 2009. The independent Republic of Uruguay came into being in 1828 and became a popular destination for Swiss migrants. It was German-Swiss farmers who in 1862–63 founded the colony of Nueva Helvecia. They introduced cheese-making and other agricultural innovations. Immigrants from Ticino were successful as skilled builders, artists and also footballers.
^"President Calls for Commission Government Like Switzerland's to Overcome Defects". The New York Times. 21 September 1931. Retrieved 14 May 2009. President Terra said today that Uruguay's experiment with the commission form of government, with divided executive power, had failed and the time had arrived to rewrite the Constitution and adopt a commission form like that of Switzerland or abolish the ...