Bilateral relations

Switzerland is returning confiscated illegally acquired assets to Uzbekistan. The stolen funds will now benefit the people of Uzbekistan thanks to a UN trust fund, the Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund, set up by Switzerland and Uzbekistan together with the UN. Among other things, this will see healthcare facilities for expectant mothers modernised at a cost of USD 43.5 million. An interview with the Ambassador of Switzerland in Tashkent, Konstantin Obolensky.

On 20 February 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will mark the fifth Romansh Language Week (Emna rumantscha) in Bucharest. The event, which is a joint initiative of the FDFA, the canton of Graubünden and Lia Rumantscha, aims to showcase Switzerland's plurality abroad. Mr Cassis, who heads the FDFA, will undertake this year's celebrations as part of his official visit to Romania, one of the themes of which is minorities. Various bilateral meetings and the signing of cooperation agreements are also on the agenda. We spoke to Switzerland's ambassador to Romania, Massimo Baggi.

Who is Emílio Goeldi and why is he so well known in Brazil? At COP30, which will take place this year in Belém in the heart of the Amazon, Switzerland, through its representation in Brasilia, will outline in stages its historical and current commitments to sustainability and global biodiversity. Since the 19th century, Goeldi has been one of the family names that best personifies this commitment to the region.

Together we make discoveries, achieve innovation and ensure progress. Launched in 2013, the 'Forum for Dialogue between Switzerland and Italy' has evolved and has been updated, adopting a new format as well as a new name –'Switzerland and Italy in Dialogue'. The event – being held for the 7th time this week in Rome – is more compact, focus more heavily on specific topics and will be attended by guests of honour.

As of today, Switzerland once again has a diplomatic presence in Iraq. The previous embassy was closed in 1991 due to the 1991 Gulf War. The Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Iraq and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters. This move also fulfils an objective of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24 adopted in 2020.

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are the two stops on Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis' trip to Central Asia from 1 to 4 July 2024. This visit is part of his participation in a meeting of Switzerland's voting group within the Bretton Woods institutions, also attended by Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter. This article sheds light on Switzerland's relations with these two Central Asian nations.