Azernews.Az

BAKU – Delegations from Azerbaijan led by Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and officials from Switzerland headed by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Maurer held another round of consultations in Bern on Thursday.

The parties held comprehensive discussions on bilateral relations in the fields of politics, economics, trade, culture and humanitarian aid and expressed content with the development of political dialog and the level of relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland, according to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry.

The two countries’ officials concurred on the vast potential to boost economic cooperation.

The parties praised Swiss companies operations in the Azerbaijani non-energy sector. They also sought ways of expanding energy cooperation.

Maurer called on Azerbaijani companies to invest in Switzerland as well.

Further, Khalafov invited Maurer to visit Azerbaijan to attend the next round of bilateral consultations. The Swiss secretary of state agreed to pay a visit to the country in 2011.

While in Bern, the Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister also met with Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. Calmy-Rey stressed Azerbaijan’s important role in the region and termed the South Caucasus republic as a key partner.