Russia Ambassador Says Studying Diplomatic Accreditation In Detail Swiss Sovereign Right

Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published September 18, 2018 | 03:18 PM

The decision to examine the accreditation of potential employees of foreign diplomatic missions meticulously is a sovereign right of Switzerland, but one should not speak of a toughening of this procedure, Russian Ambassador to Switzerland Sergei Garmonin told Sputnik Tuesday.

GENEVA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th September, 2018) The decision to examine the accreditation of potential employees of foreign diplomatic missions meticulously is a sovereign right of Switzerland, but one should not speak of a toughening of this procedure, Russian Ambassador to Switzerland Sergei Garmonin told Sputnik Tuesday.

On Monday, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said that Bern has tightened the procedure for accreditation of Russian diplomats due to the suspicions of illegal activities.

"The decision to look more closely at the accreditation of potential employees of foreign diplomatic missions is the sovereign right of the host country. I would not say that there has been any serious tightening of the procedure," Garmonin said.

The ambassador expressed regret that in recent days the Swiss media has started fueling confrontation between the countries.

"Difficult, even controversial issues sometimes arise in the bilateral ties. In order to solve them with Switzerland, fortunately, there is a well-functioning dialogue mechanism, which, I am sure, will be fully utilized in the current situation. I am convinced that constructive dialogue, corresponding to the partnership character of our bilateral relations, will allow us to eliminate the existing disagreements," Garmonin said.

The Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger reported last week that earlier this year, two Russian nationals had been arrested in the Netherlands on charges of espionage and then deported to Russia. The media alleged that the suspects had tried to spy on a laboratory engaged in nuclear, biological and chemical research, but their plot was foiled by a joint operation by Swiss, Dutch and UK intelligence.