Welcome
Dear visitor,
The Lisbon Treaty and the European External Action Service (EEAS) have strengthened the EU's capacity to act cohesively in matters of foreign affairs and security. The enhanced role of the EU in Geneva has required that we upgrade our representation.
Since January 2011, we have two separate representations in Geneva: the Permanent Mission of the EU to the World Trade Organisation, which I am heading, and the Permanent Delegation of the EU to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, which is headed by Ambassador Mariangela Zappia. The multilateral system is a top priority for the EU and for our two representations in Geneva, and is of crucial importance to both the EU's trade policy and foreign and security policy.
2012 is challenging for the world economy, the multilateral trading system, and the WTO. The 8th WTO Ministerial Conference, which took place in Geneva from 15-17 December 2011, made limited progress on some specific measures in favour of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), in addition to welcoming new LDC members as well as Russia into the organisation. As the world's largest trading entity, the EU, which speaks with one voice in the WTO, will continue to play an active leadership role in seeking and promoting ways to move forward the international trading system and the WTO. The WTO will remain solidly at the heart of EU trade policy.
The EU is one of the main actors in the many international organizations in Geneva. We work every day with others to build a strong and effective multilateral system, and to provide coordinated responses to global and shared challenges, including sustainable development, open markets, economic growth, and social responsibility.
This website will provide you with information on policy areas dealt with in Geneva. Further information on EU policies and activities is also easily accessible through the Europa gateway. The Delegation of the European Union in Berndeals with bilateral relations with Switzerland.
Your comments, questions, and suggestions on our activities in Geneva, as well as on this website, are welcome.
You can contact us directly at delegation-geneva-wto@eeas.europa.eu.
Angelos Pangratis
Ambassador and Permanent Representative