Relations between Switzerland and the Sultanate of Oman are excellent, declared Mr Rossier at the inauguration ceremony which was attended by some 40 people including several official representatives of the sultanate.
The inauguration follows the decision taken by the Federal Council in October 2013 to open an embassy in Muscat. This decision, which is in line with the Foreign Policy Strategy 2012-2015, specifically requires that relations with the Gulf states be deepened.
The decision to open an embassy in Muscat also takes into account the growing political, strategic and economic importance of the Sultanate of Oman, and the fact that the two countries have a broadly shared vision of the promotion and strengthening of peace, stability, neutrality, mediation, facilitation, and the socio-economic development and well-being of their peoples. Switzerland hopes that the new embassy will give additional impetus to its partnership with the sultanate.
The new embassy is housed in the same building as the Dutch embassy. This is the first inauguration of a Swiss embassy that "shares" the same premises as the embassy of another country. In August 2013, the then foreign minister of the Netherlands, Frans Timmermans, and the head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, signed a declaration of intent regarding this joint-lease arrangement, which is in the interests of both countries.
Only the offices are shared. Switzerland will continue to safeguard its diplomatic and economic interests in complete autonomy and independence. In a similar way to Muscat, it is planned that the Swiss embassy in Luanda will move to the premises of the Dutch representation in Angola in 2015. Such joint leases offer an effective practical solution to difficult real estate situations. They also leave open the possibility of seizing specific opportunities to extend the network abroad to ensure its universal character.
On 10 November 2014, Mr Rossier embarked on a four-day visit to the Gulf region. Prior to his arrival in the Sultanate of Oman, he visited Bahrain where he also had a number of official talks.
For further information:
FDFA Information
Pierre-Alain Eltschinger
Spokesperson
info@eda.admin.ch
Further information:
Bilateral Relations Switzerland - Oman
Address for enquiries:
Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch
