Switzerland and the United Kingdom: A long-established relationship

Switzerland and the United Kingdom have maintained close relations for a long time. Switzerland was already a favourite destination of British tourists in the 19th century. From 1900 on, Great Britain maintained 12 consulates in Switzerland. Ties between Switzerland and the UK remain close today with a broad array of contacts at the political, economic, diplomatic and cultural level.

The UK is also an important country for Switzerland in the area of international communication abroad: the task of Switzerland's international communication abroad is to promote Switzerland's visibility abroad, to convey Switzerland's concerns and positions to a foreign public and to further develop Switzerland's network of current and future decision-makers and opinion-leaders in other countries.

This task is fulfilled by Presence Switzerland of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In close cooperation with the Swiss Embassy in London and other partners, Presence Switzerland promotes a dialogue with the UK on political and social issues. The country programme of Switzerland's international communication abroad, which is run throughout the year in the UK, is based on the thematic objectives of Switzerland's  national communication abroad. Currently these include promoting Switzerland's innovative capacity and sustainability, as well as greater understanding of its political system and policy approaches. More information and photos can be found on the website www.spacesofencounters.com.

Swiss Sketches - Life in London

The film gives snapshots of five different Swiss people living and working in London, and their reflections of what it means to be Swiss in this city, and how life in London informs and develops their sense of identity.