Cantons’ international links in Switzerland. Issues of law and administration

International activity of modern states has the multi-layered nature comprising regions and municipalities (local communities). Switzerland is a federal state where cantons have broad powers. Cantons’ international activity is a matter of academic interest. Firstly, they develop cooperation with the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Secondly, they have much experience in international activity. Thirdly, that issue hasn’t been sufficiently researched in Russia. The subject of the study is an analysis of legal regulation and the mechanism of public administration in the field of the Swiss cantons’ international links. The formal legal, comparative and functional methods are used. The source base includes Swiss legislation, cantons’ constitutions and their international treaties. Special attention is paid to the practical aspect of the cantons’ participation in the international relations, particularly with the subjects of the Russian Federation. The resources of the data are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. The novelty of the analysis is the determination of forms of cantons’ international activity, as well as the analysis of the institutional mechanism of public administration in that area. The findings can be used to improve the practice of the public administration and the coordination of the international and foreign economic links of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.