The Vice President of the Swiss Confederation, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Ignazio Cassis, paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan
The Vice President of the Swiss Confederation, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Ignazio Cassis, paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan on 3–4 August 2026.
During the visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, held a tête-à-tête meeting with Ignazio Cassis, followed by an expanded meeting with the participation of the respective delegations.
During the meetings, the Ministers discussed the current state and future prospects of Azerbaijan–Switzerland bilateral relations, the priorities of Switzerland's OSCE Chairpersonship, the current state of Azerbaijan–OSCE cooperation, as well as the post-conflict situation in the region and the Azerbaijan–Armenia normalization process.
The sides noted that the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland in 2027 would provide an important opportunity to reflect on the partnership developed over the years and to further expand cooperation in new areas.
The Ministers underscored the importance of maintaining high-level contacts and regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
Particular attention was devoted to the expansion of economic cooperation, including within the framework of the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. It was emphasized that the energy sector remains one of the main pillars of bilateral economic relations, and in this context, SOCAR's activities in Switzerland were highlighted as a successful example of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Ministers also emphasized the importance of further strengthening cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and science with a view to enhancing people-to-people contacts.
The meeting included an exchange of views on the priorities identified by Switzerland in its capacity as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The Azerbaijani side welcomed the Chairpersonship's particular focus on science and diplomacy, innovative technologies, water resources management, energy security, and cybersecurity, underscoring the importance of these areas in addressing contemporary challenges.
In addition, particular attention was drawn to the landmine threat facing Azerbaijan, and the parties discussed the contributions that the OSCE, particularly its participating States, could make to support humanitarian demining efforts in the country.
The Ministers also exchanged views on the Azerbaijan–Armenia normalization process. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov briefed his counterpart on the current stage of the peace process, the de facto peaceful environment established between the two countries, and the confidence-building measures being implemented.
The sides also exchanged views on other bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
At the end, a joint press conference was held, during which the Ministers delivered statements and answered questions from representatives of the media.
