These bilateral agreements, entering into force on Tuesday January 10, aim to abolish the visa requirement for holders of a service passport from Kazakhstan and allow persons accompanying members of the Swiss Embassy in Kazakhstan to carry out professional activities. Thus, Switzerland will be one of the first countries to have such an agreement with Kazakhstan. The ratification of these bilateral agreements demonstrates the intensification of cooperation between Switzerland and Kazakhstan.

The ratification of the agreement on the paid activities of accompanying persons is part of the Confederation's desire to take into account the needs of persons accompanying the transferable staff members of our representations abroad. Faced with the impossibility of pursuing a professional activity in the host country, many people, especially younger ones, are no longer prepared to accompany their partner during transfers abroad. The FDFA is aware of the value of accompanying persons and is therefore mobilising to help them continue their careers despite the numerous transfers in Switzerland and abroad of their partner.