Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 19
By Seba Agayeva - Trend:
The political, economic and humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland today stand at a level where visa procedures for certain citizens of both countries should be simplified, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Akram Zeynalli said on Nov. 19.
"The two countries have recently begun talks on visa simplification for persons of certain categories. We hope that these talks will soon lead to positive results," he said
According to him, relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland are based on friendship and mutual trust, and are characterized by high development dynamics and major relations.
"Azerbaijan attaches great importance to relations with Switzerland and is interested in deepening them in all spheres of cooperation. The mutual visits of heads of states and officials of states and governments of the two countries played an important role in the development of bilateral relations. The Davos Economic Forum, which has repeatedly been a good platform for high level discussions of cooperation prospects between the two countries, also played an important role in the development of relations between the two countries," the diplomat said.
According to the ambassador, a great role in the development of political relations between the two countries belongs to the close inter-parliamentary relations.
As is known, Switzerland will chair the OSCE in 2014 and the existing protracted conflicts in the South Caucasus are included into the priorities of the country's future presidency of this authoritative organization.
"And this creates a new direction for our cooperation with Switzerland, I believe that we will work closely with Switzerland in this sphere," the diplomat said.
Existing political relations between the two countries have created a favorable atmosphere for economic and humanitarian cooperation, the ambassador noted.
At the moment there is a very serious business partnership in the economic sphere between the two countries, and trade and economic relations are developing rapidly. Azerbaijan's recent successes in the economic area are attractive for business people in Switzerland.
Today, over 70 Swiss companies are successfully operating in Azerbaijan, the Holcim company holds a leading position in terms of investments made in Azerbaijan's non-oil sector.
Another well-known Swiss company Stadler Rail intends to invest a large investment in Azerbaijan, the company is holding intensive talks with the Azerbaijani Railways LTD.