Embassy of the United States, Bern | |
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Address | Sulgeneckstrasse 19 CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland |
Coordinates | 46°56′36″N7°26′17″E / 46.94346288986347°N 7.438188426703054°E |
Opened | 1953 |
The Embassy of the United States in Bern manages the official relationship between the United States and the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein. The diplomatic mission of the United States was established in April 1853 as a legation, and was elevated to an embassy in 1953. [1] Within the Embassy, several U.S. agencies are represented, including the Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, and Department of Justice. The mission aims to foster strong bilateral ties and advance U.S. policy objectives in Europe. It also provides services such as visa issuance and emergency assistance to Americans in Switzerland. [2]
Consular relations between the U.S. and Switzerland trace back to the 1820s. The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Switzerland in 1853, following Switzerland's unification. Switzerland, known for its stability and strong economy, resonates with many of the democratic ideals held by the U.S. Over the years, the two countries have inked several agreements to strengthen their relationship, such as the Enhanced Political Cooperation Framework and the U.S.-Swiss Joint Economic Commission. [3] The Legation was elevated to Embassy status in 1953, with Frances E. Willis becoming the first U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland. [4] [1]
Since 1997, the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland has also been accredited to the Principality of Liechtenstein. Appointed on February 10, 1997, Ambassador Madeleine M. Kunin served as the first United States Ambassador to Liechtenstein. [5] She presented her credentials to Liechtenstein on March 14, 1997, which marked the beginning of the United States' diplomatic relations with the country. [6]
Although the United States executed its first treaty with Liechtenstein in 1926, at the time, and until 1997, Liechtenstein was represented diplomatically by Switzerland. [7]
Before 1997 it was understood that the rights of a U.S.–Swiss agreement also extended to citizens of Liechtenstein because it had yielded control of its foreign affairs to Switzerland. At the end of the 20th century, however, it "began pursuing independent membership in international organizations". [7] [8]
Tina Turner initiated the process of relinquishing her U.S. citizenship in 2013. She signed the paperwork to relinquish her American citizenship at the US embassy in Bern on October 24, 2013. [9] There has been a general trend of wealthy citizens renouncing their citizenship to reduce their tax burden, with over 300 cases in Switzerland alone as of 2021. [10]
Liechtenstein's foreign economic policy has been dominated by its customs union with Switzerland. This union also led to its independent membership in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1991. Unlike Switzerland however, Liechtenstein is part of the European Economic Area.
The Embassy of the United States of America in Prague is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America in the Czech Republic. The chancery is located on Vlašská street in Malá Strana, Prague, where it occupies the historic Schönborn Palace and possesses an extensive garden.
The United States and Liechtenstein executed their first treaty in 1926. Diplomatic relations were established in 1997. Since then, the relations between the two nations have been stable. Representatives of both countries in 2002 signed a mutual legal assistance treaty focused largely on jointly combating money laundering and other illegal banking activities.
Monaco and the United States exchanged consular officials soon after the end of the U.S. Civil War. The first consul from Monaco to the US was Louis Borg, who presented his credentials in May 1866.
Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the United States were established in 1853 by the U.S. and in 1868 by Switzerland. The first diplomatic representation of the U.S. was established in Basel in 1853.
The Embassy of the United States of America in Vienna is the main United States diplomatic mission to Austria. Since 1947 the embassy building is located on Boltzmanngasse 16, in the Alsergrund district of Vienna.
Denmark–Switzerland relations refers to the current and historical relations between Denmark and Switzerland. Denmark has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Copenhagen, but only offers consular services from the Nordic Regional Consular Centre in Stockholm. Diplomatic relations between Denmark and Switzerland were established in 1945.
This is a summary history of diplomatic relations of the United States listed by country. The history of diplomatic relations of the United States began with the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as U.S. Minister to France in 1778, even before the U.S. had won its independence from Great Britain in 1783.
Diplomatic and economic relations between Switzerland and Liechtenstein have been close, with Switzerland accepting the role of safeguarding the interests of its smaller neighbour, Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein from its Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Berne and maintains an honorary consulate in Vaduz.
The Embassy of the United States in El Salvador is located in Antiguo Cuscatlán. The Ambassador of the United States to El Salvador is William H. Duncan from since 2023.
India–Liechtenstein relations refers to the international relations that exist between India and Liechtenstein. The Embassy of India in Bern, Switzerland is concurrently accredited to Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein maintains an honorary consul general in New Delhi. Under a 1919 agreement between Liechtenstein and Switzerland, ambassadors and diplomatic missions of Switzerland are authorised to represent Liechtenstein in countries and in diplomatic situations unless Liechtenstein opts to send its own ambassador. Switzerland maintains an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai.
The mission of the United States Embassy in Nicaragua is to advance the interests of the United States, and to serve and protect US citizens in Nicaragua. As of 2023, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Nicaragua is Kevin O'Reilly.
The Embassy of the United States in Lisbon is the embassy of the United States in Portugal, in the capital city of Lisbon. It is located on Avenida das Forças Armadas.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bern is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the Swiss Confederation. The embassy is concurrently accredited to the Principality of Liechtenstein. The permanent mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, World Trade Organization and Other International Organizations is located in Geneva. The first Indonesian ambassador to Switzerland was Alfian Yusuf Helmi (1952–1955). The current ambassador, Muliaman Darmansyah Hadad, was appointed by President Joko Widodo on 20 February 2018.
Relations between the Federal Republic of Central America, also known as the Central American Federation, and the United States were formally established in 1824 following the Federation's independence from Spain. Relations lasted until 1841 when the Federation dissolved and relations with the United States continued among the newly independent former member states of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The Embassy of the United States in Reykjavík is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America in Iceland.