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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.
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 country to join based on a popular vote. 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 June 9, 2022. Switzerland says it intends to play its role as a "bridge builder".[2]
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 organisations, 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.[3]
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.[4]
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[5] 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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9]
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Algeria |
||
 Angola |
| |
 Botswana |
1967 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967.[10] |
 Cape Verde |
1980 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1980.[11] |
 Chad |
||
 Comoros |
1977 |
|
 Egypt |
See Egypt–Switzerland relations
| |
 Eswatini |
1968 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1968.[13] |
 Ethiopia |
| |
 Kenya |
See Kenya–Switzerland relations
| |
 Lesotho |
1967 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967.[14] |
 Madagascar |
| |
 Mauritania |
| |
 Mauritius |
| |
 Nigeria |
||
 Senegal |
| |
 Seychelles |
| |
 South Africa |
See South Africa–Switzerland relations
| |
 Zimbabwe |
1980 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1980.[18] |
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
1834 | See Argentina–Switzerland relations
Diplomatic relations were established in 1834, with the opening of a Swiss consulate in Buenos Aires, followed in 1891 by the opening of an embassy.
|
 Belize |
1988 |
|
 Brazil |
| |
 Canada |
1945 | See Canada–Switzerland relations |
 Chile |
| |
 Colombia |
| |
 Costa Rica |
| |
 Cuba |
| |
 Dominican Republic |
1936 | See Dominican Republic-Switzerland relations
|
 El Salvador |
1841 |
|
 Guatemala |
| |
 Haiti |
1804 |
|
 Mexico |
1827 | See Mexico–Switzerland relations
|
 Nicaragua |
1956 |
|
 Peru |
| |
 Saint Kitts and Nevis |
1992 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.[20] |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
1985 |
Both countries established consular relations in 1985 and diplomatic relations in 2001.[21] |
 Suriname |
1979 | See Suriname–Switzerland relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1979.[22] |
 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.[23][24] Uruguay became a popular destination for Swiss migrants starting in the 1860s.[25] In 1931 Uruguay called for a Swiss style parliamentary system.[26] 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.[27] There are 956 people with Swiss passports residing in Uruguay in 2009.[28] 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.[29] Thomas J. Knight also wrote that "Uruguay has for most of its history been the 'Switzerland' of South America."[30]
|
 Venezuela |
|
| 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.[35] Switzerland was the first country in the World to sign a Friendship treaty with India in 1947.[36] |
 Indonesia |
1952 | See Indonesia–Switzerland relations
|
 Iran |
1919 | See Iran–Switzerland relations
|
 Iraq |
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 |
1864-02-06 |
|
 Kazakhstan |
| |
 Kyrgyzstan |
1993 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993.[37] |
 Lebanon |
| |
 Malaysia |
1963 | See Malaysia–Switzerland relations
|
 North Korea |
December 1974[38] | See North Korea–Switzerland relations
|
 Pakistan |
Switzerland recognised Pakistan's independence from Great Britain in 1947, and the two states established diplomatic relations in 1949.[39] Switzerland ranks fifth in terms of foreign direct investment in Pakistan.[40][41] | |
 Palestine |
Switzerland recognised Palestine's independence, and the two states established diplomatic relations.
| |
 Philippines |
1956 |
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 1956.[42]
|
 Saudi Arabia |
||
 Singapore |
| |
 South Korea |
11 February 1963[43] | See South Korea–Switzerland relations
The establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Switzerland began on 11 February 1963.
|
 Sri Lanka |
See Sri Lanka-Switzerland relations
| |
 Tajikistan |
1992 |
|
 Turkey |
See Switzerland–Turkey relations
| |
 Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
|
Northern Cyprus has a Representative Office in Geneva.[47] | |
 United Arab Emirates |
| |
 Vietnam |
11 October 1971 |
|
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Albania |
1 March 1922[51] | |
 Austria |
1687 | See Austria–Switzerland relations
|
 Belarus |
1992 |
|
 Belgium |
| |
 Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| |
 Bulgaria |
1905 |
|
 Croatia |
| |
 Denmark |
1875 | See Denmark–Switzerland relations
|
 European Union |
1972 | See Switzerland–European Union relations |
 Finland |
| |
 France |
April 1521 | See France–Switzerland relations |
 Germany |
1871 | See Germany–Switzerland relations |
 Greece |
See Greece–Switzerland relations | |
 Hungary |
| |
 Ireland |
| |
 Italy |
1868 | See Italy–Switzerland relations |
 Kosovo |
See Kosovo–Switzerland relations
Switzerland recognized Kosovo on 27 February 2008.[57] Switzerland has an embassy in Pristina since 28 March 2008.[58] 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[59] but latter accepted him. Switzerland currently has 212 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force.[60] | |
 Liechtenstein |
See Liechtenstein–Switzerland relations
| |
 Moldova |
1992-09-02 | See Moldova–Switzerland relations
|
 Netherlands |
| |
 North Macedonia |
31 January 1994 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 31, 1994.
|
 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.[61] 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.[62] By 2006, this had increased by 26% from Romania and 38% from Switzerland.[63]
| |
 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
|
 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.
|
 Federated States of Micronesia |
22 April 2003 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 22, 2003.[68][69] |
 Marshall Islands |
22 January 2003 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 22, 2003.[70][71] |
 New Zealand |
1963 |
Switzerland opened a consulate in Auckland in 1912. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963.
|
 Papua New Guinea |
1976 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.[72] |
 Samoa |
1981 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on August 1, 1981.[73][74] |
 Solomon Islands |
2007 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations in December 2007.[75] |
![The First Geneva Convention (1864). Geneva is the city that hosts the highest number of international organisations in the world.[1]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Original_Geneva_Conventions.jpg/440px-Original_Geneva_Conventions.jpg)
