Livia Leu

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Livia Leu

  • Berlin Science Week
  • 2024

Livia Leu joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in 1989. She subsequently held various positions including in the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York, the Swiss Embassy in Cairo and at headquarters in Bern the Americas Division as well as the Africa/Middle East Division, which she directed as Ambassador. From 2009 to 2013, she served as Swiss Ambassador in Tehran, representing also US interests. In August 2013, she took up the position as Delegate of the Federal Council for Trade Agreements and Head of Bilateral Economic Relations at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in Bern. From 2018 to 2020, Livia Leu served as Swiss Ambassador to France and Monaco. In October 2020, the Federal Council appointed her as FDFA State Secretary and Chief Negotiator with the European Union. In that quality, she led the exploratory talks with the EU Commission on a new package proposal. In November 2023, she took up her current position as Swiss Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.


Livia Leu holds a degree in law and was admitted to the bar in the canton of Zurich. She is married and has two sons.