Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is in North Korea from 29 to 30 October for the official reopening of Switzerland's diplomatic office in the capital, followed by political talks with North Korean authorities. From there, he travels on to South Korea.
Here's what's happening:
🔹 The Pyongyang office has been running since 19 October and restores a permanent Swiss diplomatic presence in North Korea
🔹 It reports to the Swiss embassy in Beijing, which stays in charge of diplomatic and consular relations
🔹 Talks will cover restarting regular consultations between the two foreign ministries, security on the Korean Peninsula and wider geopolitics
Bern says the aim is to rebuild direct lines of communication that were lost in 2020, when its humanitarian cooperation office in Pyongyang stopped working during the pandemic. Switzerland has also said it is ready to help mediate for peace and stability on the peninsula.
At the same time, the Swiss foreign ministry has made clear the move does not change its position on North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes or its commitment to international sanctions. Any return of humanitarian projects would depend on Pyongyang and on sanctions being respected.
Some background:
🔹 Switzerland and North Korea have had diplomatic relations since 1974
🔹 Swiss aid work there began during the 1995 famine, with an office opening in 1997
🔹 Swiss officers have helped monitor the inter-Korean border since 1953 through the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
🔹 Switzerland is one of the few Western countries to have kept up political dialogue with Pyongyang since 2003
Cassis is the first Swiss Federal Councillor to visit North Korea in more than 20 years. The trip stands out because the European Union has largely frozen direct dialogue with Pyongyang.
Should neutral countries like Switzerland keep talking to North Korea, or does engagement send the wrong message? Share your view below
#Switzerland #NorthKorea #Pyongyang #Diplomacy #KoreanPeninsula
Post a Comment