Switzerland takes on protecting power mandate for Mexico and Ecuador
Bern, 24.06.2024 - At the request of both governments, Switzerland will represent Mexico's interests in relation to Ecuador and Ecuador's interests in relation to Mexico. The applicable agreements were signed with Mexico on 15 June 2024 and with Ecuador on 24 June 2024. In taking on this role, Switzerland is ensuring that diplomatic and consular channels between the two countries remain open. Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Ecuador on 5 April 2024.
Protecting power mandates are one of the instruments used by Switzerland in providing its good offices. This involves taking on some of a state's consular and/or diplomatic functions in the event that it has cut ties with another state in whole or in part. Protecting power mandates allow states to maintain low-level relations. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council gave the go-ahead to sign the agreement on the protecting power mandates for Mexico and Ecuador. Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Ecuador on 5 April when Ecuadorian armed forces entered the Mexican embassy without its permission.
Switzerland's tradition of good offices
When a protecting power mandate is requested or accepted, this is always indicative of trust that has built up over many years of close cooperation between Switzerland and the countries concerned.
Switzerland has a long-standing tradition of exercising protecting power mandates.
It is currently exercising five other such mandates alongside the mandates for Mexico and Ecuador. Switzerland has represented Iranian interests in Egypt since 1979 and US interests in Iran since 1980, has acted as a protecting power for Russia and Georgia since 2009, and represented Iranian interests in Canada since 2019.
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