Ukraine asks Switzerland to represent it in Russia Know the mediation of diplomatic representation Ukraine asks Switzerland to represent it in Russia Know the mediation of diplomatic representation

Ukraine asks Switzerland to represent it in Russia Know the mediation of diplomatic representation

Ukraine asks Switzerland to represent it in Russia Know the mediation of diplomatic representation In conjunction with Ukraine's recent request from Switzerland to represent it diplomatically in Russia, we review in this report: what is meant by the mediation of diplomatic representation, and the efforts made by the United Nations in this regard, as well as reviewing the historical role of Switzerland in this field.  On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed what the newspaper "Loserner Zeitung" reported that Kyiv had asked Switzerland to perform the task of "protecting power" for its interests in Russia. Following Switzerland's confirmation that Ukraine had asked Berne to represent it diplomatically in Russia, attention turned directly to Russia, which must agree to the entry into force of this process.  In a related context, Agence France-Presse indicated that the matter may not be easy for Switzerland, because Berne had previously angered Moscow, "in line with the European Union's decision to impose sanctions on Russia, as it wondered at the time whether Switzerland could still be considered neutral."  It is worth noting that Switzerland, a country traditionally described as neutral and expert in the tasks of mediating diplomatic representation, has offered to provide diplomatic assistance and play the role of mediator since the beginning of the Ukrainian war, which erupted with the entry of Russian forces into Ukrainian territory in late February.  What is meant by diplomatic representation?  The United Nations Guidelines describe mediation as a voluntary process “in which a third party assists two or more parties, with their consent, to prevent, manage or resolve a conflict by helping them to develop an acceptable solution that ultimately leads to an agreement.” Mediation is one of the political and diplomatic methods that are directly regulated by international agreements, and it is frequently organized to resolve international disputes between states.  The term peace mediation includes the entire organized process of supporting negotiations, from initial contact between mediators and parties to a conflict to ceasefire negotiations and implementation of peace agreements. Mediation is thus a tool that can be used throughout the entire conflict cycle.  Although these "mandates" are an effective representation of the interests of the countries that have severed diplomatic relations together, the protection authority assumes the task of performing the consular functions of the country it represents, such as issuing visas. The Mandatory can also facilitate negotiations along with reconciliation and good offices, according to the model set forth in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.  The United Nations and its effective role  Since its inception, the United Nations has played a critical role in helping to mediate conflicts between and within states at all stages: before they escalate into armed conflict, after outbreaks of violence, and during the implementation of peace agreements. The Secretary-General and his representatives shall make mediation efforts and good offices at the request of the parties to the conflict, on the initiative of the Secretary-General, or in response to a request from the Security Council or the General Assembly.  In support of these efforts, the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) was established in 1992 to assist in this work, and in 2019 joined the Peacebuilding Support Unit (PBSO) to form the new Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.  Because mediation and good offices missions require an adequate financial resource to support envoys with assistance and advice and to ensure that the talks have the necessary logistical and financial resources, the United Nations has moved over the past several years to sharpen its ability to provide such support to its own mediation efforts as well as those of partner organizations.  While the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (MSU) Mediation Support Unit (MSU), established in 2006, works closely with the Department's regional sections to plan and support mediation efforts in this area, the Department also manages the United Nations Standby Team of Mediation Experts, an "on-call" panel of experts. Established in 2008, it can be deployed to assist mediators in the field.  Switzerland's history in international mediation  Switzerland started its career in the world of international mediation and good offices services since its role as a garrison power during the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870s. Since that time, the Swiss role has grown exponentially in the field of international reconciliation and mediation of diplomatic representation.  Because it and Sweden stood on the sidelines during World War II, during the war, Bern received 219 mandates to represent 35 governments, including the main warring powers.  During the decades following World War II, Switzerland played a crucial role in defusing the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, as well as the American hostage crisis in Iran between 1979 and 1981. In 2019, Switzerland facilitated a prisoner exchange between the United States and Iran, and helped release an American citizen who had been imprisoned in Venezuela.   Today, Switzerland is second only to Sweden by playing the role of "sponsor of interests" in seven hotspots in the world, according to swissinfo.ch .  In addition to Ukraine's latest request, Switzerland currently represents "the diplomatic interests of several countries, such as the interests of the United States in Iran, Iran's interests in Canada, Iran's interests in Saudi Arabia and vice versa, Iranian interests in Egypt, and also Russian interests in Georgia and vice versa," according to Agence France-Presse.

In conjunction with Ukraine's recent request from Switzerland to represent it diplomatically in Russia, we review in this report: what is meant by the mediation of diplomatic representation, and the efforts made by the United Nations in this regard, as well as reviewing the historical role of Switzerland in this field.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed what the newspaper "Loserner Zeitung" reported that Kyiv had asked Switzerland to perform the task of "protecting power" for its interests in Russia. Following Switzerland's confirmation that Ukraine had asked Berne to represent it diplomatically in Russia, attention turned directly to Russia, which must agree to the entry into force of this process.

In a related context, Agence France-Presse indicated that the matter may not be easy for Switzerland, because Berne had previously angered Moscow, "in line with the European Union's decision to impose sanctions on Russia, as it wondered at the time whether Switzerland could still be considered neutral."

It is worth noting that Switzerland, a country traditionally described as neutral and expert in the tasks of mediating diplomatic representation, has offered to provide diplomatic assistance and play the role of mediator since the beginning of the Ukrainian war, which erupted with the entry of Russian forces into Ukrainian territory in late February.

What is meant by diplomatic representation?

The United Nations Guidelines describe mediation as a voluntary process “in which a third party assists two or more parties, with their consent, to prevent, manage or resolve a conflict by helping them to develop an acceptable solution that ultimately leads to an agreement.” Mediation is one of the political and diplomatic methods that are directly regulated by international agreements, and it is frequently organized to resolve international disputes between states.

The term peace mediation includes the entire organized process of supporting negotiations, from initial contact between mediators and parties to a conflict to ceasefire negotiations and implementation of peace agreements. Mediation is thus a tool that can be used throughout the entire conflict cycle.

Although these "mandates" are an effective representation of the interests of the countries that have severed diplomatic relations together, the protection authority assumes the task of performing the consular functions of the country it represents, such as issuing visas. The Mandatory can also facilitate negotiations along with reconciliation and good offices, according to the model set forth in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.

The United Nations and its effective role

Since its inception, the United Nations has played a critical role in helping to mediate conflicts between and within states at all stages: before they escalate into armed conflict, after outbreaks of violence, and during the implementation of peace agreements. The Secretary-General and his representatives shall make mediation efforts and good offices at the request of the parties to the conflict, on the initiative of the Secretary-General, or in response to a request from the Security Council or the General Assembly.

In support of these efforts, the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) was established in 1992 to assist in this work, and in 2019 joined the Peacebuilding Support Unit (PBSO) to form the new Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

Because mediation and good offices missions require an adequate financial resource to support envoys with assistance and advice and to ensure that the talks have the necessary logistical and financial resources, the United Nations has moved over the past several years to sharpen its ability to provide such support to its own mediation efforts as well as those of partner organizations.

While the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (MSU) Mediation Support Unit (MSU), established in 2006, works closely with the Department's regional sections to plan and support mediation efforts in this area, the Department also manages the United Nations Standby Team of Mediation Experts, an "on-call" panel of experts. Established in 2008, it can be deployed to assist mediators in the field.

Switzerland's history in international mediation

Switzerland started its career in the world of international mediation and good offices services since its role as a garrison power during the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870s. Since that time, the Swiss role has grown exponentially in the field of international reconciliation and mediation of diplomatic representation.

Because it and Sweden stood on the sidelines during World War II, during the war, Bern received 219 mandates to represent 35 governments, including the main warring powers.

During the decades following World War II, Switzerland played a crucial role in defusing the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, as well as the American hostage crisis in Iran between 1979 and 1981. In 2019, Switzerland facilitated a prisoner exchange between the United States and Iran, and helped release an American citizen who had been imprisoned in Venezuela. 

Today, Switzerland is second only to Sweden by playing the role of "sponsor of interests" in seven hotspots in the world, according to swissinfo.ch .

In addition to Ukraine's latest request, Switzerland currently represents "the diplomatic interests of several countries, such as the interests of the United States in Iran, Iran's interests in Canada, Iran's interests in Saudi Arabia and vice versa, Iranian interests in Egypt, and also Russian interests in Georgia and vice versa," according to Agence France-Presse.

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