Swiss representation in Belarus to be upgraded to full embassy

Bern, 15.05.2019 - At its meeting on 15 May 2019, the Federal Council decided to upgrade the Swiss representation in Minsk to a full embassy. The decision was based on the steadily growing relations between Switzerland and Belarus. The embassy in Minsk is planned to be opened officially this year by the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis.

The Federal Council has decided that the Swiss representation office, which has represented Switzerland in Minsk since 2010, will be upgraded to a full embassy. Belarus already has an embassy in Bern. In recent years, relations between Switzerland and Belarus have become deeper. They were given a boost in 2016, with the almost complete lifting of EU sanctions against Belarus, which Switzerland had supported.

Switzerland and Belarus have since conducted a growing number of bilateral meetings on political and economic issues. Switzerland sees great promise in Belarus's economic potential and in its commitment as an intermediary for stability in the region. Alongside the upgrading of the representation, the FDFA is strengthening its commitment in the area of human rights in Belarus.


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FDFA Information
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The Federal Council
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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
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https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-75059.html