Russia and Georgia broke off diplomatic relations following the armed conflict in Georgia last August. In response to a request from Russia the Federal Council agreed in principle at the beginning of October that Switzerland would be prepared to safeguard Russia’s interests in Georgia. This was however conditional on Georgia agreeing to a Swiss mandate as “protective power”.

Over the past few weeks representatives of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) have determined the form of this mandate and its exact nature through negotiations in Moscow and in Tbilisi.

These negotiations resulted in two agreements regulating Switzerland’s exercise of the protective power mandate in all details. The Federal Council has authorised the Head of the FDFA, Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, to sign the two agreements.

The role of protective power is a traditional instrument of Switzerland’s foreign policy. Switzerland’s present mandates include safeguarding the interests of the United States in Cuba and in Iran, as those of Cuba in the USA.

Federal Council approves the safeguard of Russia’s interests in Georgia by Switzerland