Switzerland reopens Baghdad embassy after 33 years

NEWSROOM — Switzerland reopened its embassy in Baghdad on Monday, 33 years after closing it during the 1991 Gulf War, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced. This move aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Iraq and enhance cooperation in areas such as economic development, security, and migration, “fulfilling a key objective of the Federal Council’s MENA Strategy 2021–24.”

“The reopening of the embassy in Baghdad allows Switzerland to deepen its cooperation with a country of great geopolitical importance in the region,” the Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry highlighted Iraq’s efforts to promote peace and security in the region, noting that over 50 countries, including Austria, France, Italy, and Germany, currently maintain embassies in Baghdad.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis initially evaluated the situation on the ground in 2021, discussing the potential reopening of the embassy with his Iraqi counterpart. The proposal received approval from the foreign affairs committees in the autumn of 2023.

The new Swiss embassy will focus on enhancing Swiss-Iraqi relations, fostering collaboration on economic, security, and peace issues, and promoting Swiss interests in Iraq. “Iraq’s energy resources and diversified economy present promising long-term export and investment prospects for Swiss businesses,” the ministry noted.

Additionally, the embassy will prioritize bilateral cooperation on migration matters. Since 2020, the Federal Department of Justice and Police has been involved in migration-related projects in Iraq and recently intensified its dialogue with Iraqi authorities, leading to a migration agreement signed in May 2024. A Swiss migration officer will be seconded to the new embassy to support on-the-ground cooperation, working alongside Ambassador Daniel Hunn, who was appointed by the Federal Council in March. The embassy will operate with a staff of three.

While the new embassy in Baghdad will handle political and diplomatic matters, consular services and Swiss visa processing for Iraqi citizens will continue to be managed by the Swiss Embassy in Amman, Jordan.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry emphasized that reopening the Baghdad embassy is part of Switzerland’s broader effort to maintain strong bilateral relations in the Middle East. “By reopening the embassy in Baghdad, Switzerland strengthens its role as an actor in peace promotion, humanitarian aid, and as a partner in economic matters in the MENA region,” the statement read. The reopening is a key objective of the Federal Council’s MENA Strategy 2021–24, driven by Iraq’s geopolitical significance.

Switzerland initially closed its embassy in Iraq in 1991 due to the outbreak of the Gulf War, which created an unstable and dangerous environment. For over three decades, Switzerland managed its diplomatic relations with Iraq from its embassy in Amman, Jordan, focusing on consular services and visa processing for Iraqi citizens. During this period, Switzerland’s diplomatic presence in Iraq was limited due to concerns over safety and the volatile security situation.