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![]() Liechtenstein | ![]() United Kingdom |
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Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of the United Kingdom, Bern | Embassy of Switzerland, London |
Foreign relations between the United Kingdom and it's predecessors with Liechtenstein date back to World War I. Both countries established diplomatic relations in May 1992. [1] Since then, the relations between the two countries have been stable.
The United Kingdom does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the British ambassador to Switzerland, located in Bern, is also accredited to Liechtenstein. Similarly, the Swiss embassy in London also represents Liechtenstein.
Diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Liechtenstein date back to World War I. The United Kingdom sided with the Entente countries during throughout the war. [2] Though Liechtenstein remained neutral throughout the conflict, it retained close ties to Austria-Hungary and was sympathetic to the Central Powers. [3] At the outbreak of the war, the United Kingdom interned Liechtensteiners and partially confiscated their assets. From 1916, Liechtenstein was embargoed by the Entente countries until the end of the war. [4]
Liechtenstein applied to join the League of Nations in 1920, though this was rejected by the League of Nations Assembly on 17 December 1920, of which the United Kingdom was a member, by a vote of 28 against and 1 in favour. [5] During World War II, Liechtenstein remained neutral, and its neutrality was not violated by any of the combatants. [4] The United Kingdom had been on the side of the Allies since 1939. Though this neutrality was respected by the United Kingdom throughout the war, Liechtensteiner organizations such as Marxer & Partner Rechtsanwälte were embargoed from 1943 due to its cooperation with individuals associated with the war industry of Nazi Germany. [6]
During the 2008 Liechtenstein tax affair, it was revealed that secret bank information had also been sold to British tax authorities, which led to 100 British citizens being investigated for tax evasion. [7] Liechtenstein reached an agreement with the United Kingdom in 2009 that will allow the about 5,000 British customers of Liechtenstein's banks that hold for them about £2-3 billion in secret accounts to come clear with British tax authorities under terms of a significantly reduced penalty. [8]
Both countries were members of the European Economic Area until the United Kingdom's departure on 31 January 2020. [9] [10] On 8 July 2021, Liechtenstein and the United Kingdom signed a free trade agreement in conjunction with members of the European Free Trade Association. [11] [12]
Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein, is a doubly landlocked German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east and north and Switzerland in the west and south. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein of the House of Liechtenstein, currently led by Hans-Adam II. It is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres and a population of 40,023. It is the world's smallest country to border two countries, and the only country with no debt.
Political identity came to the territory now occupied by the Principality of Liechtenstein in 814, with the formation of the subcountry of Lower Rhætia. Liechtenstein's borders have remained unchanged since 1434, when the Rhine established the border between the Holy Roman Empire and the Swiss cantons.
Hans Brunhart is a political figure from Liechtenstein who served as the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1978 to 1993.
The German National Movement in Liechtenstein was a Nazi party in Liechtenstein that existed between 1938 and 1945.
Liechtensteiner Vaterland is the largest daily newspaper in Liechtenstein. Published by Vaduzer Medienhaus AG, it is the official newspaper of the Patriotic Union party.
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.
Liechtenstein Homeland Service was a political party in Liechtenstein that advocated corporate statism and the abolition of party politics.
Germany–Liechtenstein relations are the diplomatic relations between Germany and Liechtenstein. Both states are members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the European Economic Area.
Marxer & Partner Rechtsanwälte is a law firm based in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. It is the largest law firm in the country.
Foreign relations between Russia and it's predecessors with Liechtenstein date back to the Napoleonic wars. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 January 1994. Since then, relations between the two countries have been distant, with Liechtenstein condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Wilhelm Beck was an advocate and political figure from Liechtenstein who was one of the founders of the Christian-Social People's Party and served as the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1922 to 1927.
Leopold Freiherr von Imhof was an Austrian civil servant who served as the Governor of Liechtenstein from 1914 to 1918.
Prince Eduard of Liechtenstein was the son of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and Countess Anna of Degenfeld-Schonburg. He was a civil servant in Austria and a prominent diplomat in Liechtenstein.
The November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch, also known as the Beck putsch was a de facto coup d'état by the leaders of the Christian-Social People's Party against the government of Governor of Liechtenstein, Leopold Freiherr von Imhof. The coup forced Imhof's government to resign and established a Provisional Executive Committee in his place until 7 December.
Liechtensteiner Nachrichten, known as the Oberrheinische Nachrichten until 1924 was a weekly newspaper in Liechtenstein from 1914 to 1936. It was the official newspaper of the Christian-Social People's Party.
The 1992 Liechtenstein constitutional crisis was culminated on 28 October 1992 when Hans-Adam II called for a referendum regarding Liechtenstein's accession to the European Economic Area be held before the corresponding referendum in Switzerland, against the countries custom union and the wishes of the government and the Landtag of Liechtenstein.
Foreign relations between France and Liechtenstein date back to the Napoleonic wars. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 August 1992. Since then, relations between the two countries have been stable.
Karl Freiherr Haus von Hausen was an Austrian noble and civil servant who served as the Governor of Liechtenstein from 1861 to 1884. Hausen was born into an Austrian noble family of Franconian origins, which was amalgamated under the title 'von Hausen' by Francis II in 1797.
The military history of Liechtenstein originates back to its predecessors in the County of Vaduz and Lordship of Schellenberg. Liechtenstein disbanded its army in 1868, and has had no standing army since. However, under the constitution of Liechtenstein citizens are still obligated to defend the country in the event of an external threat, and the army may be reformed if deemed necessary.