Bilateral relations Switzerland–Armenia
Switzerland and Armenia enjoy good relations, which include numerous exchanges. Switzerland supports Armenia in the field of international cooperation and strives to contribute to lasting peace in the region.
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland took an active part as a mediator in the negotiations between Armenia and Turkey on the normalisation of their bilateral relations. The mediation process, which culminated in the signing of the Zurich Protocols on 10 October 2009, helped to cement relations between Switzerland and Armenia, even though Turkey and Armenia did not ultimately ratify the Protocols.
Switzerland has entered into bilateral agreements with Armenia covering a number of areas. A visa facilitation agreement came into force in 2016.
Economic cooperation
In 2025, the volume of trade with Armenia amounted to CHF 52 million – CHF 46 million in exports and CHF 6 million in imports. Switzerland mainly exports precision instruments, watches, and jewelry, as well as products from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. It imports textiles, metals, and agricultural products.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise
Information on Swiss–Armenian economic relations, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland JCC
Cooperation in education, training, research an innovation
Researchers in Armenia can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Between 1971 and 2019, 20 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships were awarded to Armenian applicants.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Peacebuilding and human security
Switzerland regularly offers its good offices as a host state for meetings between representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Switzerland supports democratic reforms in Armenia, with a focus on combating corruption, promoting good governance, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring respect for human rights. The strong cooperation between Armenia and Switzerland also extends to multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe.
Development cooperation, humanitarian aid
International cooperation activities in Armenia are carried out under the Regional Cooperation Program for the South Caucasus 2026–2029. The overall objective is to enable the region’s populations to benefit from sustainable and inclusive economic and social development, democratic public institutions, human security, peace, and greater resilience to climate change, through regional dialogue and cooperation.
Cultural exchanges
Cultural relations between the two countries have developed in recent years. A number of events have taken place during the ‘Settimana della lingua italiana’ (Italian language week), Francophonie and German Language Days.
Swiss nationals in Armenia
In 2024, there were 53 Swiss citizens living in Armenia according to statistics on the Swiss abroad.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland provided humanitarian aid to Armenia following the devastating earthquake in 1988 when the country was still part of the Soviet Union.
Switzerland recognised the independence of Armenia on 23 December 1991. The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 30 April 1992. The Armenian ambassador was accredited to Switzerland in 2002.
In 2011, Switzerland opened an embassy in Yerevan. Prior to that date, the Swiss ambassador in Tbilisi was concurrently accredited to Armenia.
There are still only a small number of Swiss nationals living in Armenia. The Armenian community in Switzerland, in contrast, is relatively large: between 4,000 and 6,000 persons with Armenian roots are living in Switzerland.
Armenia, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
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