Switzerland takes on protecting power mandate for Mexico and Ecuador
At the request of both governments, Switzerland will represent Mexico's interests in relation to Ecuador and Ecuador's interests in relation to Mexico. The applicable agreements were signed with Mexico on 15 June 2024 and with Ecuador on 24 June 2024. In taking on this role, Switzerland is ensuring that diplomatic and consular channels between the two countries remain open. Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Ecuador on 5 April 2024.
The agreements for the protecting power mandate were signed on 15 June 2024 with Mexico on the Bürgenstock and on 24 June 2024 with Ecuador in Bern. © FDFA
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.
What are good offices?
"Good offices" is an umbrella term used for various crisis management and conflict resolution tools in Swiss foreign policy. In particular it involves:
- Hosting international conferences and high-level meetings
- Representing foreign interests in a country
- Facilitating dialogue or acting as a mediator in conflicts
The aim of good offices is to settle differences and conflicts between and within countries by political means. Often, just trying to keep channels of communication open is an important step in preventing further escalation in a conflict and cushioning the impact of disputes.
Switzerland holds seven protecting power mandates
Switzerland has a long-standing tradition of exercising protecting power mandates. 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.
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.
Ensuring dialogue is part of the Swiss DNA
All the instruments of good offices have one thing in common – getting parties to engage in dialogue. "Without dialogue, nothing works. But effective dialogue makes great things possible," says Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
Switzerland draws on the expertise and experience gained from its own political system in this regard – as cooperation between all stakeholders, mutual respect and consensus-seeking are key elements in the political process at national, cantonal and municipal level. "Our political system is built on respect and collaboration. This is why – as a country with four national languages and four cultures – we are able to keep pooling our strengths and moving forward," says Cassis, adding "mediation and compromise are in Switzerland's DNA, both in our own political processes and in our foreign policy cooperation."
However, Switzerland never imposes its good offices. It either offers to act as a mediator or is requested to do so by states or parties. In practice, however, Switzerland only provides good offices if all conflicting parties agree.
