She studied philosophy and international relations and has spent more than twenty years in international diplomacy. In addition to assignments at NATO and the UN, Soňa Budayová has held various posts across numerous countries, including serving as chargé d’affaires in Czechia. She is currently Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
You previously served in Switzerland as deputy and adviser to the ambassador between 2015 and 2019. You therefore have something to build on…
Of course, familiarity with the environment is always an advantage, as are the contacts I established here. My previous posting in this country provides a solid foundation on which I can build. Thanks to my experience and knowledge of the local context, it has been easier for me to follow up on ongoing activities and continue them effectively. I understand the context, I am familiar – at least to some extent – with our partners, and I know the specific features of the environment. This allowed me, especially in the first months of my tenure, to approach my tasks more constructively and efficiently.
Have you noticed any changes since your first posting in Bern?
In essence, not really. Although we are all accustomed to measuring success by the number of changes, in the case of Switzerland it is clear that even little or no change can be a sign of a country’s success.
You went to Switzerland with the aim of strengthening relations both economically and academically. What are your priorities when it comes to Liechtenstein?
Mutual Slovak-Liechtenstein relations are dominated by economic cooperation, particularly investment activities by Liechtenstein in Slovakia. For this reason, the core of the embassy’s work under my leadership focuses on economic diplomacy. This includes efforts to intensify cooperation with the Liechtenstein Chamber of Industry and Commerce, organizing business missions and B2B events, identifying new business partners, presenting opportunities for foreign direct investment in Slovakia – including through successful case studies of Liechtenstein companies operating there – and drawing on Liechtenstein’s know-how as one of the leaders in science, research, and innovation. In our economic diplomacy activities, we also make use of the potential and contacts of the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic
in Vaduz.
With the current President of Switzerland, Guy Parmelin.
Let us return to the January World Economic Forum. How did you perceive the atmosphere, and what did it reveal about the current development of international relations?
The World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos 2026 will likely go down in history – and not only in the history of the WEF. Many direct participants described it as a turning point in global developments. Compared to previous years, this year’s forum took place in a more complex geopolitical environment. The discussions confirmed that Europe is seeking strategic autonomy and is exploring how to rely more on its own internal security and economic strength. Both official speeches by European representatives and informal discussions reflected a clear effort to find a path toward strengthening Europe’s geopolitical and economic position.
Although Václav Havel was more a Czech than a Czechoslovak president, did you feel a sense of pride when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney quoted him in his speech?
It was a compelling and well-crafted speech – a reminder to all conference delegates that democracy is not a given, but a daily task, a responsibility, and a commitment. Whenever Václav Havel is mentioned, I appreciate that last November I had the opportunity to take part in the unveiling of a Václav Havel bench at the Dürrenmatt Center in Neuchâtel.
You have worked in diplomacy for more than thirty years. How has the profession changed? Is there a particular moment in your career you recall most fondly?
Globalization and technological development have also transformed diplomacy. Alongside political activities, it now increasingly focuses on economic issues, economic cooperation, and cybersecurity. I value the opportunity to represent Slovakia in all the countries to which I have been posted. It is difficult to single out one moment or period above the others. Perhaps it was my time at the Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to NATO in Brussels, when we concluded accession negotiations and became a member of the Alliance. Or the moment when we succeeded in bringing Swiss investment to Slovakia. Or perhaps when we organized Slovak Day at the European Organization for Nuclear Research – a project that, after 25 years of Slovakia’s membership, enabled Slovak companies to present their capabilities and explore opportunities for cooperation with this prestigious institution.
With the President of the Swiss Confederation for 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter, during the presentation of credentials (in Switzerland, the presidency rotates annually).
CV BOX
Soňa Budayová is Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
She studied at the Faculty of Arts and later at the Faculty of Law of Comenius University in Bratislava.
In 1994, she joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and within two years was posted to the Slovak Embassy in Finland.
From 2011, she worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: first in the EU Section, then for four years in Brussels at the Permanent Delegation of the Slovak Republic to NATO, followed by a year in the UN Section, and later at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
In subsequent years, she served at embassies in Malaysia, Kuwait, Switzerland, Istanbul, and at the Slovak Liaison Office in Pristina. From 2022 to 2023, she headed the Slovak Embassy in Prague as chargé d’affaires.
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