The talks between Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco focused on developments in international trade and cooperation in multilateral bodies. In this context, the head of the FDFA emphasised the need to enhance the efficiency of multilateral organisations. The collaboration between Switzerland and Costa Rica in the field of science anticipation was also discussed, particularly within the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) foundation. An international seminar on leadership in this area will be held next week in San José, attended by Minister André. Discussions also focused on the United Nations Ocean Conference, co-organised by Costa Rica and dedicated to the protection of the seas and oceans, which will be held in June 2025.
Talks between the two ministers also covered Swiss-Costa Rican relations and economic issues, such as the resumption of negotiations on a double taxation agreement, intended to supplement the 2014 free trade agreement between EFTA and Central American states (Costa Rica and Panama).
Switzerland's largest trading partner in Central AmericaCosta Rica is Switzerland's largest trading partner in Central America, and imports over CHF 200 million in Swiss goods. In 2025, Switzerland and Costa Rica are also celebrating 160 years of bilateral relations. There are currently around 2,000 Swiss nationals living in Costa Rica, more than in any other Central American country. The country is also a popular holiday destination for Swiss tourists.
Over the past year, Switzerland and Costa Rica have also increased their cooperation on democracy promotion, an issue Mr Cassis and Mr André also addressed in Bern today. Since 2024, Switzerland has been supporting a project to train 80 young politicians in leadership roles and strengthen consensus-building and political participation at local level.
Mr André was visiting Switzerland as part of a trip to Europe, in the anniversary year of the countries' bilateral relations. Mr Cassis invited Mr André to Switzerland during his trip to Central America in July 2024, the first official visit by a Swiss Federal Councillor to San José.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Costa Rica
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