Switzerland and Peru enjoy friendly relations, which are reinforced by regular political consultations. Peru is a priority country for Swiss economic development cooperation.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Peru
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Peru maintain active political relations. Bilateral relations are focused on expanding trade, cultural and judicial cooperation, addressing economic and human rights issues, and Switzerland's assistance with economic development and climate change adaptation.
The two countries have concluded agreements relating to free trade, investment protection, double taxation, air transport, international mutual assistance in criminal matters, and the protection of cultural property.
On 20 October 2020, Switzerland and Peru signed an agreement allowing Switzerland to offset a portion of its CO2 emissions through projects in Peru. This agreement, which entered into force on 1 August 2021, is the first of its kind in the world.
On 16 December 2020, Switzerland, Peru and Luxembourg signed a tripartite agreement (which came into force on 18 April 2021) on the restitution of assets confiscated in Peru. Under the agreement, approximately USD 26 million has been repatriated to Peru thus far, and in May 2023, the Federal Supreme Court authorised the repayment of a final USD 8.5 million instalment. These funds will be used in Peru to fight corruption.
Switzerland–Peru climate protection agreement (de, fr, it)
Economic cooperation
In 2023, Switzerland imported goods worth CHF 2.17 billion from Peru, primarily gold (over 90% of the total volume of imports) and agricultural products. In the same year, Switzerland exported goods worth CHF 123.7 million to Peru, mainly comprising machinery, pharmaceutical products, watches and precision instruments. In 2022, Swiss direct investment in Peru amounted to CHF 251 million. Swiss companies employed 7,651 people in Peru in 2022.
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers and artists who are citizens of Peru can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Under a mandate conferred by SERI, the University of St Gallen is currently coordinating research cooperation initiatives between Switzerland and Latin America.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
The SDC ran bilateral cooperation projects in Peru from 1964 to 2011. Since 2009, Peru has been one of SECO's priority countries for economic development cooperation. The budget for the period 2021–24 amounts to approximately CHF 75 million. Peru is also part of the SDC's Andean programme in the fields of climate change, sustainable management of water resources, disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
Cultural exchange
Peru is one of the Federal Office of Culture's priority countries for cooperation. Switzerland and Peru collaborate under a 2016 agreement to prevent illicit trafficking in cultural property and the restitution of cultural objects. They have jointly financed several projects in this context, including an exhibition in 2023 at the Museo de Arte de Peru on the Inca civilisation. Since 2020, Switzerland has financed several projects relating to the archaeological sites of the Caral civilisation, the oldest civilisation in the Americas. In 2022, the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos received funding to establish a laboratory for its conservation and restoration department, enabling the training of specialists in this field.
Swiss government supports conservation of Caral Archaeological site (es)
Swiss nationals in Peru
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 2,884 Swiss nationals living in Peru at the end of 2023.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland established a consulate in Lima in 1884, which was upgraded to a consulate general in 1931. A diplomatic representation has existed since 1946. In 1964, Switzerland launched one of its first technical cooperation programmes in the Peruvian Andes. A Swiss chamber of commerce has been operating in Peru since 1979. In response to a severe economic crisis in the early 1990s, Switzerland cancelled Peru's debt.
Links
Switzerland and Peru sign climate protection agreement (de, fr, it)
Trilateral agreement: Switzerland and Luxembourg to return illicitly acquired assets to Peru
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Switzerland supports conservation of the Caral archaeological site (es)
