The Swiss Ambassador in Moscow - Pierre Helg © FDFA

Welcome to the official website of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Russian Federation

Here you will find information about the work of the Embassy, about events and activities in Russia organized or co-sponsored by the Embassy, as well as important travel and visa information for people planning on travelling to Switzerland. Of course there are also some facts and figures about Switzerland and useful links for further reference.

The bilateral relations between Switzerland and Russia have developed in a very favorable way in recent years. Political links are even closer since the visit of President Medvedev in Switzerland in September 2009, the first ever visit of a Russian Head of State to my country. There is a genuine mutual interest between our two Nations. More and more Swiss companies are discovering Russia as an interesting and promising place to invest, and an increasing number of visitors from Russia are discovering the beauties of Switzerland as tourists, visitors or on business trips. But we also welcome Russian Investors to Switzerland: Our country is a great place to develop business on a global scale!

Although our two countries have followed quite different historical paths, there have always been moments in our history where Russia has played a role: for example in 1799, when General Suvorov crossed the Alps from the South in an attempt to liberate Switzerland from occupation by the Napoleonic forces. Or in 1813/1814 at the end of Napoleonic wars, when Tsar Alexander I. actively promoted the re-emergence of the Swiss Confederation as a neutral State independent from the Great Powers in its neighborhood.

It is a privilege for me to serve as the Ambassador of Switzerland in Russia. I am looking forward to contribute to promoting Swiss-Russian friendship and cooperation, and to discover this fascinating country in all its facets during my term of duty.

Pierre Helg
Ambassador of Switzerland to the Russian Federation