Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov met with the Head of Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter

On October 10, 2016 in the framework of his official visit to the Swiss Confederation Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met with the Head of Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter

The counterparts expressed their satisfaction with the level of development of Azerbaijani-Swiss relations. They appraised active political dialogue between the two countries and stressed that this visit would serve to the extensive development of bilateral cooperation.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed about the recent developments in the process of settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He reiterated Azerbaijani position towards the settlement of this conflict and stressed that it can only be solved on the basis of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan in full compliance with the principles and norms of international law and the relevant UNSC resolutions.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter underlined the huge potential for strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries in the spirit of existing political dialogue. They noted with satisfaction the activity of more than 70 Swiss companies in Azerbaijan and SOCAR’s successful activity in Switzerland.

The Swiss companies were invited to invest in the transportation and railway projects being carried out in Azerbaijan.

The counterparts discussed the Swiss vocational education and training system, which they described as one of the best in the world, and stressed the importance of exchange of expertise in this area. They also exchanged views on cooperation within the framework of international organisations and mutual support of candidacies to various international bodies. Other global and regional developments were also discussed.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter signed Agreements between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Swiss Federal Council on the facilitation of the issuance of visas and on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation. Once the agreements enter into force, holders of diplomatic and service passports will travel visa-free between the two countries and a number of other categories of people will get visas following simplified procedures.