Switzerland–Uruguay relations
Encyclopedia
Switzerland–Uruguay relations are foreign relations
between Uruguay
and Switzerland
. Both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations, and they established diplomatic relations in 1828. Uruguay became a popular destination for Swiss migrants starting in the 1860s. In the twentieth century, Uruguay has looked to Switzerland as a model for government, historical and cultural ties go back to at least the nineteenth century. There were 956 people with Swiss passports residing in Uruguay in 2008. Uruguay was described as the "Switzerland of the Americas" in a 1951 New York Times article for its popularity as a haven for capital fleeing Europe at the time and its adoption of Swiss-inspired banking laws. Thomas J. Knight also wrote that "Uruguay has for most of its history been the 'Switzerland' of South America."
bank of Siegrist und Fender purchased farm land in Uruguay. It was not long before the first Swiss citizens moved to Uruguay with the goal of working the land as farmers where they founded the colony of Nueva Helvecia
around 1862. In 1931, Uruguay called for a Swiss style parliamentary system.
During both World Wars, Switzerland acted as an intermediary between Uruguay and Germany. Near the end of World War I, in 1918 and following an incident where a German submarine captured a delegation sent by Uruguay to France, "Uruguay caused Germany to be asked through Switzerland, whether Germany understood a state of war to exist between the two countries." Again, during World War II
, Switzerland, as protecting power, represented Uruguay in Germany
, Italy
, Hungary
and France
.
A Swiss Chamber of Commerce has been in Uruguay since 1944. After the Korean War
, Uruguay adopted Swiss style banking laws and became the "Switzerland of the Americas".
Swiss exports to Uruguay in 2008 were CHF
127.6 million, and Swiss imports in 2008 were CHF 66 million.
and an honorary consulate in Basel
. Since 1947, Switzerland has a diplomatic representation in Montevideo
.
Swiss representations in Montevideo:
Foreign relations
Foreign relations refers to the ongoing management of relationships between a public policy administrative organisation of a state and other entities external to its authority or influence...
between Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Both countries share a long history of mutual economic relations, and they established diplomatic relations in 1828. Uruguay became a popular destination for Swiss migrants starting in the 1860s. In the twentieth century, Uruguay has looked to Switzerland as a model for government, historical and cultural ties go back to at least the nineteenth century. There were 956 people with Swiss passports residing in Uruguay in 2008. Uruguay was described as the "Switzerland of the Americas" in a 1951 New York Times article for its popularity as a haven for capital fleeing Europe at the time and its adoption of Swiss-inspired banking laws. Thomas J. Knight also wrote that "Uruguay has for most of its history been the 'Switzerland' of South America."
History
In 1860 the BaselBasel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
bank of Siegrist und Fender purchased farm land in Uruguay. It was not long before the first Swiss citizens moved to Uruguay with the goal of working the land as farmers where they founded the colony of Nueva Helvecia
Nueva Helvecia
Nueva Helvecia is a city in the southeastern part of Colonia Department of Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Routes 52 and 53, about west of Montevideo and north of Colonia Valdense. Its status was elevated to "City" category on 11 December 1952 by decree Ley No...
around 1862. In 1931, Uruguay called for a Swiss style parliamentary system.
During both World Wars, Switzerland acted as an intermediary between Uruguay and Germany. Near the end of World War I, in 1918 and following an incident where a German submarine captured a delegation sent by Uruguay to France, "Uruguay caused Germany to be asked through Switzerland, whether Germany understood a state of war to exist between the two countries." Again, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Switzerland, as protecting power, represented Uruguay in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
A Swiss Chamber of Commerce has been in Uruguay since 1944. After the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Uruguay adopted Swiss style banking laws and became the "Switzerland of the Americas".
Swiss exports to Uruguay in 2008 were CHF
Swiss franc
The franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia. Although not formally legal tender in the German exclave Büsingen , it is in wide daily use there...
127.6 million, and Swiss imports in 2008 were CHF 66 million.
Embassies and consulates
Uruguay has an embassy in Bern, a general consulate in GenevaGeneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and an honorary consulate in Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
. Since 1947, Switzerland has a diplomatic representation in Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
.
Swiss representations in Montevideo:
- 1859 vice-consulate
- 1864 consulate
- 1921 general consulate
- 1947 legationLegationA legation was the term used in diplomacy to denote a diplomatic representative office lower than an embassy. Where an embassy was headed by an Ambassador, a legation was headed by a Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary....
- 1963 embassy
Population
Uruguayan nationals resident in Switzerland. This does not include dual citizens.| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 688 |
| 2000 | 563 |
| 2005 | 491 |
| 2007 | 478 |
Bilateral agreements
- Extradition treaty of 27 February 1923
- Trade agreement of 4 March 1938
- Air transport agreement of 16 September 1960
- Investment promotion and protection agreement of 7 October 1988, entry into force 22 April 1991
See also
- Foreign relations of UruguayForeign relations of UruguayUruguay traditionally has had strong political and cultural links with its neighbours and Europe. British diplomat Alfred Mitchell-Innes was Minister to Uruguay throughout the crucial years of World War I ....
- Foreign relations of SwitzerlandForeign relations of SwitzerlandThe foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs . Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland.-History:...
- Swiss diaspora
Further reading
- Annaheim, Hans, Die Kolonie Nueva Helvecia in Uruguay, in: Regio Basiliensis 8, 1967, S. 27-76.
- Arlettaz, Gérald, Emigration et colonisation suisses en Amérique 1815-1918, in: Etudes et Sources, Archives Fédérales Suisses, no 5, 1979, pp. 5-236.
- Aschwanden, Prisca, Die schweizerische Einwanderung in Uruguay zwischen 1880-1929, Lizentiatsarbeit, Universität Zürich, 1990.
- Wirth, Juan Carlos F., Historia de colonia suiza [de l'Uruguay], Ed. por el comite ejucutivo pro-festejos del centenario de colonia suiza, Nueva HelveciaNueva HelveciaNueva Helvecia is a city in the southeastern part of Colonia Department of Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Routes 52 and 53, about west of Montevideo and north of Colonia Valdense. Its status was elevated to "City" category on 11 December 1952 by decree Ley No...
, 1962. - Wirth, Juan Carlos F., Génesis de la colonia agricola suiza Nueva Helvecia. Historia, documentos y carografia, Ministerio de educacion y cultura, MontevideoMontevideoMontevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, 1980. - Zbinden, Carl, Die schweizerische Auswanderung nach Argentinien, Uruguays, Chili und Paraguay, Dissertation, Universität Bern, Affoltern a. A., 1931.