General, Treaties and Asset Recovery

The division is made up of three sections specialised in:

• general international law
• International Treaties
• Asset Recovery

The division is concerned with the following themes in conjunction with other areas within the FDFA and the federal administration, where appropriate: 

• neutrality, international security and the peaceful settlement of disputes
• aspects of European Union (EU) law and of the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU (institutional aspects and implementation)
• diplomatic and consular protection
• protection of Swiss investments abroad
• migration and the legal status of foreigners in Switzerland
• relationsship between international and national law
• procedures for the conclusion of international treaties
• competence of the Swiss federal authorities with regard to the approval of treaties
• information of the federal administration, the cantons, the courts and individuals about the agreements Switzerland has concluded with foreign partners
• functions related to the some 80 multilateral international treaties for which Switzerland is the depositary
• international legal assistance and cooperation in areas such as police and customs
• combating corruption and money laundering (assets of politically exposed persons)
• Law of Neighbouring States and cross-border cooperation
• relations between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein