Switzerland takes on protecting power mandate for Mexico and Ecuador

Protecting power mandates are one of the instruments used by Switzerland in providing its good offices. This involves taking on some of a state's consular and/or diplomatic functions in the event that it has cut ties with another state in whole or in part. Protecting power mandates allow states to maintain low-level relations. At its meeting on 7 June 2024, the Federal Council gave the go-ahead to sign the agreement on the protecting power mandates for Mexico and Ecuador. Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Ecuador on 5 April when Ecuadorian armed forces entered the Mexican embassy without its permission.

Switzerland's tradition of good offices

When a protecting power mandate is requested or accepted, this is always indicative of trust that has built up over many years of close cooperation between Switzerland and the countries concerned.
Switzerland has a long-standing tradition of exercising protecting power mandates.
It is currently exercising five other such mandates alongside the mandates for Mexico and Ecuador. Switzerland has represented Iranian interests in Egypt since 1979 and US interests in Iran since 1980, has acted as a protecting power for Russia and Georgia since 2009, and represented Iranian interests in Canada since 2019.

Further information:

Switzerland’s protecting power mandates
Article: Switzerland takes on protecting power mandate for Mexico and Ecuador

Comunicado de prensa (es)(pdf, 111kb)

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs