Swiss Embassy not to Provide Visa Services for Now

The Swiss embassy in Tbilisi said that no consular or visa services on behalf of the Russian Federation are currently being provided. It said both governments first needed to finalise the details on how to represent Russia’s diplomatic interests in Georgia.

On October 3 Switzerland announced it would represent the diplomatic interests of the Russian Federation in Georgia. Official Tbilisi has welcomed the move.

“No consular or visa services will be provided before the end of the negotiations between all sides concerned,” the Swiss embassy said. “The public will be informed as soon as these services will be possible.”

Meanwhile, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said that Switzerland would not persue Russia’s political interests in Georgia, but would perform diplomatic functions instead.

As a result of the armed conflict between Russia and Georgia last August, diplomatic relations between the two countries have been cut. 
 
Switzerland has a record of representing other countries in third party countries, with whom diplomatic relations have been severed. It represents Cuba and Iran in the US and the US in Cuba.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)