Title

TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND OF COMMERCE BETWEEN THE SWISS CONFEDERATION AND THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

Preamble

Concluded on July 23, 1963
Approved by the Federal Assembly on March 3, 1964 (1)
Instruments of ratification exchanged on September 22, 1964
Entered into force on September 22, 1964

The Swiss Federal Council and the Government of the Republic of Liberia, desiring to strengthen and develop friendly relations existing between the two States happily resolved to conclude a treaty of friendship and commerce and to this end have designated as their plenipotentiaries:

(the names of the Plenipotentiaries)

Where, after having submitted their respective powers and have found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:

Body

Article 1.

There will be unalterable perpetual peace and friendship between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Liberia and their peoples.

Article 2.

The nationals of each of the Contracting Parties may, in the territory of the other party, enjoyment, on a reciprocal basis, the right to enter and remain travel, as well as to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property, and to engage in commerce, industry and other lawful activities, in accordance with the Constitution, laws and other regulations in force or which may be established in the future by the other party. they shall enjoy in the area of judicial, administrative or other treatment the same as that accorded to nationals of the other party with regard to the protection and security of the person and property. the nationals of either Contracting Party established or temporary stay in the territory of the other party could be exported all their assets and property, to the same extent as the nationals of the most favoured nation.

Article 3 . (2)

a. The High Contracting Parties agree to maintain diplomatic missions accredited in their respective capitals to promote friendly relations.

Diplomatic representatives shall enjoy, on the basis of reciprocity, as regards their duties that person, the privileges and immunities accorded by international law.

b. With a view to promoting trade and to promote the development of economic relations, each High Contracting Parties shall have the right to establish, vice-consulates consulates-general, consulates and consular agencies in the territory of the other places determined by mutual agreement. subsequent amendments may be made at Headquarters or in the territory of a consular post only with the consent of the State of residence.

The heads of the consular post shall enjoy the privileges and immunities granted under general international law and they shall have the right to operate in the country where they are sent, provided that they have been admitted in accordance with the laws and customs that are in force. After submission of the letter of provision they are provided as soon as possible, the enforcement. the Division will be specified in the letter of provision. Other consular officials shall enjoy the privileges and immunities from the time at which the State of residence approved their appointment after it has been duly notified.

The records and documents and correspondence consular posts shall be inviolable.

Article 4.

Each High Contracting Party undertakes not to intervene in the internal affairs of the other party.

Article 5.

Each High Contracting Parties grant each other the most favoured nation treatment with respect to the export, import and transit of goods and the customs and international payments. the most-favoured-nation treatment shall be extended to nationals and companies, corporations, trade and industry associations Liberians exporting to Switzerland in Switzerland or important goods originating in a third country or exporting of Switzerland to a third country of destination of the goods originating in Switzerland. the same treatment shall be accorded to nationals and companies, foundations, associations to Liberia Swiss exporting or importing goods originating in Liberia in a third country or exporting of Liberia to a third country of destination of the goods originating in Liberia.

The most-favoured-nation treatment shall not apply to tariff concessions, advantages and exemptions that each of the High Contracting Parties will accord or accorded to countries with a customs union or a free-trade zone already established or which may be established in the future, or part of a single monetary zone.

Article 6.

The old and new investment and the property rights and interests belonging to nationals or companies, foundations, associations of one of the High Contracting Parties in the territory of the other shall enjoy fair and equitable treatment, equal to that is recognised by each party to its nationals or, if it is more favourable treatment accorded to nationals or companies, foundations, associations most-favoured nation.

Each High Contracting Party undertakes to allow the free transfer of proceeds of labour or activity carried out in its territory of nationals or companies, foundations, associations of the other party, and, in respect of investments, the free transfer of interests, dividends, royalties and other income, depreciation and, in the event of partial or total liquidation of the proceeds from the liquidation. the High Contracting Parties will not expropriate neihter property rights or interests belonging to nationals nor companies, foundations, associations of the other party and shall have no more, directly or indirectly, to their dispossession, unless such measures are taken in the public interest and against payment of adequate and effective compensation in accordance with international law. the amount of compensation shall be set at the time of expropriation, nationalization or dispossession and other shall be paid in the currency transferable and paid without undue delay at the national, to the corporation, foundation or association that are entitled, irrespective of his place of residence or head. the measures of expropriation, nationalization or dispossession other shall not be discriminatory, nor contrary to a specific commitment. the High Contracting Parties agree to conclude an agreement as soon as possible in order to create favourable conditions for private investment in both countries and determine the modalities for the adequate protection of investments.

Article 7.

Article 5 of this Treaty shall be applicable to the Principality of Liechtenstein as long as the Principality shall be linked to the Swiss Confederation treaty by a customs union.

Article 8.

This Treaty shall be subject to ratification by the High Contracting Parties in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures. it shall apply from the date of its signature and will enter into force pursuant to the exchange of instruments of ratification and shall remain in effect thereafter until it has been denounced by one year notice in writing.

In the event of termination of this Treaty, the provisions of Article 6 shall continue to be effective for a further period of ten years in respect of investments made before the written notice was given.

Conclusion

In WITNESS WHEREOF, the plenipotentiaries of the High Contracting Parties have signed this Treaty and have affixed their seals.

Done on this 23rd day of July, A.D. 1963, at Monrovia, Liberia, in two originals copies in the English and French languages, both texts being equally authentic