Uzbekistan, Tashkent, April 30 / Trend, D. Azizov /
Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Yves Rossier, who arrived in Tashkent as the head of the delegation of the Foreign Ministry, discussed the state and prospects of bilateral relations and certain issues of international and regional importance on Tuesday, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan informed.
The sides stressed their interest in developing a constructive dialogue and mutual benefit, the press service said.
As a promising area of cooperation, the parties are considering the implementation of joint high-tech projects in the free industrial economic zone "Navoi", special economic zones "Angren" and "Jizzak" where favorable conditions are created and significant preferences are provided to foreign investors.
Studying the achievements of Switzerland in the field of tourism and infrastructure, the practice of creating tourist areas as well as the training of specialists in relevant institutions in Switzerland are of great interest to Uzbek companies.
The parties also noted that Uzbekistan and Switzerland have positive experience in cooperation within international organizations, primarily the UN and its structures as well as the OSCE given the forthcoming Swiss Chairmanship in 2013.
The parties also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
The same day, Tashkent hosted another round of the Uzbek-Swiss ministerial political consultations.
Meetings and negotiations were attended by Swiss Ambassador Nicolas Brühl.
As reported, the trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and Switzerland are regulated by a number of intergovernmental agreements, including agreements on trade, economic, technical and financial cooperation, encouragement and the mutual protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion on income and capital, international road transit of passengers and cargo of the two countries.
The Swiss government provides assistance to Uzbekistan in the sphere of entrepreneurship and small private businesses.
According to the 2011 results, Uzbek-Swiss trade turnover amounted to $103.8 million. 82 companies with Swiss capital operate in Uzbekistan.