"As of today, Switzerland once again has a diplomatic presence in Iraq. The previous embassy was closed in 1991 due to the 1991 Gulf War. The Federal Council aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Iraq and deepen cooperation in economic, security and migration matters," the statement read.
The Swiss government has long recognized Iraq's importance in the region, the department said. The reopening of the diplomatic mission is part of the European nation's 2021–2024 strategy for the Middle East and North Africa adopted in 2020.
Since 2012, the Swiss embassy in the Jordanian capital of Amman has been responsible for relations with Iraq.