Switzerland » International Relations

The Switzerland Relations with International Community

Foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) (known as the "Political Department" from 1848 to 1979). Although FDFA's role is primary, some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments within the Swiss Federal Council.

On September 10, 2002, Switzerland became a full member of the United Nations, after a referendum supporting full membership won in a close vote six months earlier; Swiss voters had rejected membership by a 3-to-1 margin in 1986. The 2002 vote made Switzerland the first country to join based on a popular vote.

Switzerland (mainly Geneva) is home to many international governmental and nongovernmental organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (whose flag is essentially the Swiss flag with colours reversed, the Red Cross historically being a Swiss organisation). One of the first international organisations, the Universal Postal Union, is located in Bern. 

Trade and Investment with UK

Despite the relative weakening of the economy during the 1990s, Switzerland remains an important economic power. Switzerland and the UK are each other's fifth largest trading partner. It is the UK's largest market for goods after the EU and US, and the UK's 11th largest export market, taking UK goods exports worth approximately £3.3bn (2002) and service exports of £2.8bn (2001). Switzerland is the 7th largest investor in the UK and employs around 100,000 people in the UK.

The UK are Switzerland's 6th biggest supplier and 5th biggest market with invisible exports worth £1,5bn (led by tourism and financial services) and goods exports worth £3,9bn.