The Antigua Government is currently considering to open a embassy in Switzerland. This was announced by Office of Prime minister of Antigua after discussions with the swiss ambassador and PM Browne.
Antigua and Barbuda has appointed an Honorary Consul to Switzerland, however with the creation of an embassy, it is intended that deeper relations between both countries will flourish.
“Thank you very much for this courtesy call and your country, for providing the very generous assistance with establishing an embassy in Switzerland, it is certainly an offer that we intend to avail ourselves of”, PM Browne said.
PM Browne thanked the Ambassador, and by large the Government and People of Switzerland for the offer of an embassy space.
“We need to strengthen our presence in Europe, we have had the practice of appointing honorary consuls, however that comes with some level of risk. There is no doubt that we need to have a presence in Switzerland but we do not have the finances to maintain an office there, so this gesture by your government is most appreciated. It will now help us to put a competent Antiguan there to represent us, our interest, in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in Europe generally.”
The Ambassador also indicated that Switzerland maintains its offer to support Antigua and Barbuda in establishing a United Nations Mission in Geneva. “This will be essential in the first two years to come, we will provide office space, furniture and the like,” The Ambassador said
Ambassador Schnider thanked the Prime Minister for his warm welcome and support for Swiss Candidacy.