Liechtenstein’s Relations with Russia: Too Small to Be Noticed

Relations between Russia and Liechtenstein are not particularly close. There are no bilateral agreements between the two states and not even a free trade agreement. The bulk of diplomatic exchange is mainly within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), but overall this is very little, albeit diplomatic relations do exist. Indeed, the former prime minister of Liechtenstein, Markus Büchel, used to be Honorary Consul for Russia. This function is currently held by Klaus Tschütscher, also a former Liechtenstein prime minister. In view of Liechtenstein’s otherwise little-developed political relations with Russia, this apparently close contact of Russia with parts of Liechtenstein’s political elite is surprising. There is also a Russian Consular Centre in the country’s capital Vaduz. Liechtenstein does not have a representation in Russia; however, its citizens may make use of the Swiss representation for all consular questions.