Swiss upgrade diplomatic representation in Belarus
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has opened a Swiss embassy in the Belarusian capital Minsk. The government decided to upgrade the existing office last May.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ts
The decision was “testament to the deepening of cooperation between the two countries”, the foreign ministry said in a statementExternal link.
This first official visit of a cabinet minister to Belarus focused on stepping up bilateral relations, strengthening human rights and discussing the situation in the region, in particular the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the ministry said.
Before the official opening of the embassy on Thursday, Cassis met Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makej for bilateral talks.
Cassis said Switzerland welcomed the close cooperation with Belarus on human rights and was keen to pursue it further.
“It is important to make concrete progress in this respect,” he said during his meeting with President Lukashenko. Cassis referred in particular to working together on the prevention of torture: “fruitful discussions” among experts on this topic from the two countries had taken place in Bern and Geneva last autumn, according to the foreign ministry.
Momentum
Relations between Switzerland and Belarus have gained momentum since the European Union and Switzerland largely lifted sanctions against Belarus in 2016.
In 2019 the volume of trade between the two countries amounted to CHF194 million ($198 million) – an increase of over 50% on the previous year.
With the new embassy in Minsk, the Swiss network of foreign offices now comprises 103 embassies. The upgrading has no financial or personnel consequences, the foreign ministry said.
More
More
Why everyone has an interest in ending the conflict in Ukraine
This content was published on
A long-awaited summit in Paris is aiming to find a way to end the war in Ukraine. A Swiss diplomat active in the region shares his thoughts.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
This content was published on
At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. Almost 95% of all places were occupied, the highest number since 2014.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss court orders Russia to pay damages to Ukrainian firms
This content was published on
The Swiss federal court has ordered Russia to pay CHF80 million in damages to 12 Ukrainian firms expropriated after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.