Switzerland–Turkey relations

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Swiss–Turkish relations
Map indicating locations of Switzerland and Turkey

Switzerland
Turkey
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Switzerland, AnkaraEmbassy of Turkey, Bern

Swiss–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Switzerland and Turkey. Switzerland has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Bern and consulates-general in Zürich and Geneva. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the OECD, the OSCE and the WTO.

Demographics

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Approximately 130,000 immigrants from Turkey live in Switzerland, many of them Turkish Kurds.[1]

Bilateral relations

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Turkey and Switzerland enjoy diverse relations and are engaged in regular high-level political dialogue. Both cultural and economic ties are significant. Switzerland is a major investor in Turkish businesses in the amount of US$94.3 billion (2005–2022), creating 14,500 jobs in Turkey. In 1988 both nations signed the bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation, which took effect on 1 January 2013. The 1991 Free Trade Agreement through EFTA was amended and came into force on 1 October 2021. In 2008, the dialogue between both nations intensified after presidential visits and the two countries since 2009 hold annual political consultations particularly on security, business and migration.[2]

Embassy of Turkey in Bern

Since 2017 after the economic downturn in Turkey, the trade volume increased steadily and stood at almost US$17 billion (1.3 billion exports and 15.3 billion imports) in 2022. Turkey is also a major tourist destination for Swiss residents. Main export commodities are chemicals and pharmaceuticals, watches, textil industry components and medical devices. Imports from Turkey are typically gold, agricultural products and automobiles as well as petroleum and related products. With about 1,000 Swiss businesses operating in Turkey, and the projected expansion of the Turkish economy on a global scale, Turkey is seen as a strategically important nation for Switzerland. In 2023, a Swiss business delegation represented by SECO was invited to Ankara to discuss the modernisation of the EFTA free trade agreement to secure sustainable growth in economic relations.[3][4]

Diplomatic incidents

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In March 2017, the Swiss Office of the Attorney General launched an investigation into possible surveillance of the Turkish community in Switzerland.[5] Those suspected of conducting the espionage reportedly worked at the Turkish embassy in Bern.[5] The suspects reportedly monitored participants of a political protest at the University of Zurich and attempted to kidnap in 2016 a Swiss-Turkish businessman linked to the Gülen movement in Zürich.[5] Turkish Ambassador Ilhan Saygili denied the allegations.[5]

In June 2023, Turkey summoned Switzerland's ambassador Jean Daniel Ruch over a demonstration in Zurich against President Tayyip Erdogan, including burning of an effigy and banners being displayed. Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozbay told Ruch that the acts were unacceptable and requested an investigation to determine those involved.[6]

Resident diplomatic missions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Turkey rejects spying allegations in Switzerland". Swissinfo. April 12, 2017.
  2. ^ Bilateral relations Switzerland–Turkey eda.admin.ch. accessed Sep 16 2023.
  3. ^ Commercial and Economic Relations between Türkiye and Switzerland mfa.gov.tr/. accessed Sep 16 2023.
  4. ^ Treffen der Gemischten Wirtschaftskommission Schweiz – Türkei: das langfristige Ziel im Auge (pdf). economiesuisse. accessed Sep 16 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Swiss ministry says no diplomatic immunity for Turkish spying suspects". Swissinfo. March 14, 2018.
  6. ^ Huseyin Hayatsever (15 June 2023), Turkey summons Swiss ambassador over demonstration against Erdogan Reuters.
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