Visits and Ceremonies
The Visits and Ceremonies Section of FDFA Protocol is responsible for the organisation of official ceremonies. It organises visits by heads of state and representatives of foreign governments to the President of the Swiss Confederation and the head of the FDFA in Switzerland.
Visits by representatives of foreign states are an effective means of maintaining and developing bilateral relations. Switzerland's Protocol Regulations distinguish between six categories of visit, ranging from the most formal, the state visit, to the least formal, the courtesy visit. The Visits and Ceremonies Section of FDFA Protocol is responsible for their organisation.
- State visit
The state visit is the most formal, being by a head of state at the invitation of the Federal Council. The seven Federal Councillors and the Federal Chancellor receive the guest at the Bundesplatz in Bern with military honours and the playing of the national anthems. - Official visit by a head of state
Heads of state are also invited by the Federal Council, which is represented by the President of the Confederation. The visit involves official discussions with a Federal Council delegation. The guest is received with military honours and playing of the national anthems, at the Lohn Manor in Kehrsatz. - Official visit by a head of government
An official visit by a head of government is also at the invitation of the Federal Council. It consists of official discussions with a Federal Council delegation. - Official visit by a member of a foreign government
This is a visit by a member of a foreign government at the invitation of their Swiss counterpart. It is the most common type of visit, and involves official discussions only. - Official working visit
The rules of protocol for an official working visit by a head of state or by a head or member of government are less strict than in the categories mentioned above. - Courtesy visit
A head of state, head of government or member of a government may also pay a courtesy visit to the President of the Confederation or to another member of the Federal Council. The visit lasts only 20 to 30 minutes. Simplified rules of protocol apply.
Other duties
The Visits and Ceremonies Section of FDFA Protocol also organises the agrément (acceptance) procedure for new heads of mission, the ceremony for the presentation of credentials to the President of the Confederation and the New Year reception of the Diplomatic Corps.
Its duties also extend to the preparation and organisation of various events for the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Federal Council, establishing criteria for the order of precedence within the FDFA and the Confederation, and the treatment of VIPs at Swiss airports.
Links
Documents
Contact
State Secretariat STS-FDFA
Federal Palace West
3003 Bern