Amir of Qatar to pay state visit to Switzerland
Bern, 13.11.2026 — The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is expected to arrive in Switzerland next week for a two-day state visit. The Federal Council, led by President Guy Parmelin, extended this invitation in acknowledgement of Switzerland’s growing ties with Qatar and the Arabian Peninsula.
The members of the Swiss government will welcome the Amir with full military honours on Parliament Square on Wednesday, 18 November. Switzerland will be represented in official talks at the Bernerhof by President Parmelin, by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the Federal Council vice president and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), by Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, who heads the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) and by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, who heads the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC).
Talks will focus on the excellent and diverse bilateral relations between the two countries. In particular, the state visit is intended to deepen economic, financial and research contacts. At the same time, regional conflicts and mediation, international cooperation and matters pertaining to energy supply will also be discussed.
On the second day of the state visit, on Thursday, 19 November, Mr Parmelin and Amir Al Thani will meet with prominent business leaders.
Extremely dynamic relations
Relations between Switzerland and Qatar have intensified significantly in recent years. While diplomatic ties have existed since the Emirate declared independence in 1973, embassies were only opened in the respective countries in 2013. A bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement came into force in 2004. This was followed by a free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2014. Since then, Qatar has made substantial direct investments in Switzerland and is a key exporter of natural gas.
The scope of bilateral ties has expanded beyond economic and financial cooperation to encompass a range of fields. This has given rise to a number of different discussion formats on mediation and international cooperation, labour migration, education and research.
Switzerland-Qatar bilateral relations
Logistics and organisation:
Linda Shepard, FDFA Communications
+41 (0)79 544 48 16, kommunikation@eda.admin.ch