As the official diplomatic mission, the Swiss Embassy in Russia deals with the whole spectrum of issues that are part of diplomatic relations. The diplomatic mission addresses issues of economic, scientific, diplomatic, legal, financial and interaction, as well as cultural and educational exchange.
A Brief History of Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic relations between the countries began with the presentation of credentials to the Russian attorney John Kapodistrias to the Swiss authorities in 1814. However, the first Swiss embassy in Russia appeared much later.
The Russian revolution did not cause the severance of diplomatic ties, although Switzerland did not recognize the USSR. In this strange form, relations existed until 1923, when they were interrupted due to the murder of the Soviet ambassador in the alpine republic. They were again renewed only in 1946.
After the collapse of the USSR
The Swiss Confederation recognized Russia as the legal successor of the Soviet Union and continued to develop and deepen bilateral relations.
It is worth paying tribute to the attention that the Swiss Embassy in Russia pays to economic issues and trade relations. Largely due to the emphasis on economic cooperation, bilateral cooperation did not know strong recessions, despite the political turmoil that had occurred.
The total trade turnover between the countries is 11.1 billion dollars, and a significant part of Russian exports was made up of mineral products, such as precious stones, metals and products from them.
Switzerland's role in peacekeeping
Thanks to its neutral status, Switzerland can maintain constructive relations with a wide range of partners and thereby contribute to the resolution of conflict situations.
For example, after a short military conflict between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, the two countries stopped diplomatic communication, but issues that need to be resolved have not disappeared.
In order to facilitate the minimum necessary exchange of information between the two countries and protect the rights of civilians, sections of interest were created at the embassies of countries on the basis of Swiss diplomatic missions.
The Russian Interest Section at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia deals with consular issues, legalization of documents and registration of acts. Russian visas to Tbilisi are issued, however, in a separate visa center.
The Swiss Embassy in Russia also has a section of interests of Georgia, which is located in the building of the former Georgian Embassy. The section also deals with consular issues, but not with the issuance of visas, as Georgia unilaterally canceled them for Russians.
