RA Embassy in Switzerland to move to Bern; Permanent Mission to remain in Geneva
The Government of the Republic of Armenia has adopted a decision to relocate the seat of the Embassy of Armenia to the Swiss Confederation from Geneva to the capital city, Bern. The decision was made during the cabinet meeting on February 12.
At the same time, the seat of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the UN Office and other international organizations will remain in Geneva.
According to the substantiation of the government decision, the annual cost of the relocation to Bern is estimated at an amount in AMD equivalent to 344.8 thousand Swiss francs. In the first year, in addition to current expenses, an additional amount in AMD equivalent to 62.8 thousand Swiss francs will be required for the acquisition of furniture and equipment, as well as for the deposit and commission fee.
Due to this change, the 2026 state budget expenditures for the activities of the diplomatic service bodies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) abroad and in international organizations will be increased by an amount in AMD equivalent to 407.5 thousand Swiss francs, and in subsequent years by 304.8 thousand Swiss francs equivalent in AMD.
The decision states that the establishment of the embassy in Bern will facilitate contacts with representatives of the diplomatic corps, ensure more effective communication, and activate bilateral cooperation and political dialogue, taking into account the distance between Bern and Geneva.
Armenia and Switzerland established diplomatic relations on April 30, 1992. Since 2002, the RA Embassy and the Permanent Mission to the UN Office and other international organizations have been operating in Geneva. It is also noted that the embassies of around 100 countries accredited to Switzerland, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, and Georgia, are located in Bern.
The actual number of Armenians living in Switzerland is not officially clear; however, it is unofficially estimated that approximately 3,000 to 5,000 Armenians live there. There are Armenian communities, particularly in Geneva, Zurich, Neuchâtel, and Lugano.
