Bilateral relations Switzerland–Syria
Since the fall of President Assad in December 2024, Switzerland has strengthened its engagement in Syria. It supports a peaceful and inclusive transition, promotes peace, human rights and the rule of law, and provides humanitarian aid. The goal is a Syria in which all people can live in freedom, security and dignity.
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland has been following developments closely since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024. It supports the Syrian people's endeavours to live in freedom, security and dignity. Switzerland's priorities for its work in Syria are as follows:
Economic cooperation
Economic relations between Switzerland and Syria are modest, with a bilateral trade volume of CHF 11.4 million in 2024.
Country cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise, SGE
Peacebuilding and human security
The political transition process in Syria should include all parts of society, protect the human rights of all population groups, and pave the way for a secure future that is determined collectively by the entire Syrian people.
Switzerland therefore supports efforts to prevent conflict at the local and national levels, and works to encourage dialogue between all Syrians.
Switzerland also believes it vital that Syria instigate a national process of dealing with the past. It supports efforts to establish the fate of missing persons and to prosecute crimes against humanity under criminal law.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
The ‘Syria and Neighbouring Countries 2026–29’ cooperation programme covers five countries: Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. It has four priorities: human development, climate and environment, economic development, and peace and good governance. A budget of around CHF 243 million has been allocated for the implementation period from 2026 to 2029. Under the programme, Switzerland is helping Syria to lay the foundations for its voluntary, secure and long-term return to the international community. It also supports vulnerable Syrian refugees who choose to return to Syria from Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Swiss nationals in Syria
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, in June 2026 there were 54 Swiss nationals living in Syria.
History of bilateral relations
Relations between Switzerland and Syria developed early on. In the 1800s, Swiss textile and chemical exports to Syria and textile imports from Syria to Switzerland were the main drivers of trade between the two countries.
Syria gained independence in 1941, and Switzerland recognised the new republic in 1945. A chancery represented Switzerland in Damascus between 1946 and 1958, followed by a consulate general that became an embassy in 1962.
The Swiss embassy in Damascus was closed in 2012. In 2017 Switzerland opened a humanitarian office in the city that was then upgraded to a cooperation office in 2026. The Swiss ambassador in Beirut has been accredited as chargé d'affaires in Syria since 2022.
Syria, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis
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