PRESS RELEASE

New Home for U.S. Embassy in Bern
April 29, 2005

The future home of the Embassy of the United States in Switzerland will be in the Allianz Suisse Building on Sulgeneckstrasse 19 in Bern.
 
The American Embassy and Allianz Suisse Versicherungen, which conducted the negotiations on behalf of the owner of the building, announced today that they have signed a long-term lease under which the embassy would move its offices from the present location in the residential Kirchenfeld quarter.  No firm date has been set for the move, which is expected to be in early 2007. 
 
The new location was chosen because it is centrally located, it provides easy accessibility for public visitors and it meets the embassy’s requirements for security.
 
In announcing the agreement, U.S. Ambassador Pamela P. Willeford said: “We are delighted with this step forward made possible by agreement with our negotiating partner, Allianz Suisse.  Our new home will enable us to continue to serve the Swiss public effectively and to be good neighbors to our Bern friends.” 
 
The U.S. embassy has been located in its present building at Jubilaeumstrasse in Bern since the early 1950’s.  The lease will by ratified at an official signing ceremony to be held in the coming weeks.  Additional details will be forthcoming.