Published on 1 February 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Belarus

Switzerland was among the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Belarus in 1991. On 15 May 2019, the Federal Council decided to upgrade the Swiss representation in Minsk to an embassy in order to intensify bilateral relations. However, the systematic and serious human rights violations, particularly since the disputed presidential elections of 9 August 2020, have placed a considerable strain on bilateral relations between Switzerland and Belarus. Relations have been further strained by Belarus’s decision to allow Russia to use its territory for its war against Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland calls on Belarus to comply with its human rights obligations. On 12 October 2020, Switzerland adopted the EU sanctions against Belarus. Switzerland has also progressively adopted the EU sanctions imposed in response to Belarus’s involvement in the war against Ukraine since 2022. The 2019 decision to upgrade the Swiss representation in Minsk to an embassy was already accompanied by an increased focus on human rights.

Treaty database

Government of Belarus

Economic cooperation

Trade between the two economies remains below its potential. Bilateral trade has declined significantly, particularly following Switzerland’s gradual adoption of the sanctions imposed by the EU against Belarus since 2020. The key agreements required for the development of trade relations have been concluded; agreements on trade and economic cooperation, investment, and double taxation are all in force.

Switzerland mainly exports chemical and pharmaceutical products, as well as precision instruments, watches and jewelry. Imports from Belarus are marginal. Around 30 companies with links to Switzerland are represented in Belarus. The pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors remain among the most important industries in Belarus and are largely exempt from sanctions.

Country Cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE

Joint Chamber of Commerce

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Young researchers who are citizens of Belarus can apply to the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists SERI

Young professionals (trainees), State Secretariat for Migration SEM

Peace and human rights

Switzerland clearly expresses its position on the critical human rights situation in Belarus at all levels, both bilaterally and within the framework of the UN and the OSCE.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

The SDC and Swiss Humanitarian Aid were active in Belarus from 2001 until 2010. Their work focused on measures to help alleviate the serious consequences of the Chernobyl power plant disaster in 1986. During this period, Switzerland provided CHF 25 million for this work.

Swiss nationals in Belarus

There are around 40 Swiss nationals living in Belarus, mainly in Minsk.

History of bilateral relations

During the break-up of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Belarus declared its independence on 25 August 1991. Switzerland recognized the new state on 23 December of the same year. Between 1992 and January 2018, the Swiss Ambassador to Poland was also cross-accredited in Minsk. On 15 May 2019 the Federal Council decided to upgrade the Swiss representation office, which has represented Switzerland in Minsk since 2010, to a full embassy and to accredit a Swiss Ambassador to Belarus with residence in Minsk.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, made the first working visit of a Federal Councillor to Minsk in February 2020. He took this visit as the occasion to officially open the embassy. During his stay, Cassis held bilateral talks with President Alexander Lukashenko and Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, Belarus opened an embassy in Bern, headed by a Chargé d’affaires a.i. from 2008 to 2020. Belarus appointed its first Ambassador to Switzerland in 2020.

Belarus, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

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