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Exchange of Notes (March 28 and April 26, 1924) between the United Kingdom and Switzerland respecting the Application to the Principality of Liechtenstein of Commercial Agreements in Force between Great Britain and Switzerland [1924] CATSer 2 (26 April 1924)

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EXCHANGE OF NOTES (March 28 and April 26, 1924) BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SWITZERLAND RESPECTING THE APPLICATION TO THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN OF COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS IN FORCE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND SWITZERLAND

I

The Swiss Minister to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

(Translation)

SWISS LEGATION

London, March 28, 1924

Sir,

My predecessor, in a note dated the 4th November, 1919, informed the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston that the Swiss Federal Council had agreed to take charge of the interests of the Principality of Liechtenstein in foreign countries, through the intermediary of the Swiss diplomatic and consular representatives.

In continuation of that communication and under instructions from my Government, I have the honour to inform your Excellency as follows:

In the spring of 1919, the Principality of Liechtenstein, faced with serious difficulties, asked the Swiss Federal Council for assistance in the protection of her economic interests. Switzerland could not refuse the assistance asked for by the small neighbouring country, which has an area of 159 square kilometres, and has scarcely 12,000 inhabitants. Negotiations took place between the two countries for the conclusion of agreements respecting postal matters and customs duties. By virtue of an agreement signed on the 10th November, 1920, the Swiss Confederation undertook the working of the postal, telegraph and telephone services in the Principality.

Subsequently, a treaty was concluded on the 29th March, 1923, between Switzerland and the Principality incorporating the Principality in the Swiss customs territory. This treaty came into force on the lst January, 1924. Since that date all the provisions governing commercial relations between Great Britain and Switzerland have been applied to the Principality. So long as the treaty of the 29th March, 1923, remains in force, the Principality of Liechtenstein is unable to negotiate, on its own account any commercial or customs agreement with a third State, but it rests with the Swiss Confederation to conclude such agreements, with full force for the Principality.

The Swiss Federal Council entertains the belief that, in view of the very peculiar conditions of the Principality of Liechtenstein, His Majesty's Government will agree to the appli­cation to the latter, so long as it constitutes an integral part of Swiss customs territory, of the provisions governing the commercial relations between Great Britain and Switzerland.

I shall be much obliged if your Excellency will be so good as to take note of the above and inform me of the attitude which His Majesty's Government will be prepared to adopt as regards this arrangement between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Accept, &c.

C. R. Paravicini

II

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Swiss Minister

Foreign Office, April 26, 1924

Sir,

In your note of the 28th ultimo you enquired whether His Majesty's Government would agree to the application to the Principality of Liechtenstein of commercial agreements in force between Switzerland and Great Britain.

2. In reply, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government are prepared to agree to this arrangement.

I have, &c.

J. Ramsay MacDonald