Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Highlighting the high level of political, economic and humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein called for the simplification of visa procedures for certain citizens of both countries.

"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," Akram Zeynalli told Trend news agency on November 19.

According to the diplomat, relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland are based on friendship and mutual trust, and are characterized by rising development dynamics.

"Azerbaijan attaches great importance to relations with Switzerland and is interested in deepening them in every field of cooperation. The mutual visits of high ranking officials 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, close inter-parliamentary relations play a significant role in the development of political relations between the two countries.

As is known, Switzerland will chair the OSCE in 2014 and the existing protracted conflicts in the South Caucasus are included in 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.

Currently, 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 businessmen 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 make a large investment in Azerbaijan and is holding intensive talks with the Azerbaijani Railways LTD.

The Ambassador believes that the Azerbaijan-Switzerland intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation plays an important role in the development of economic relations between the two countries.

According to Zeynalli, the commission's activity made a huge contribution to the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Switzerland.

The commission's next meeting and the business forum of the two countries is planned in February 2014 in Bern. The ambassador believes that the business forum will play an important role in the development of cooperation between the two countries.

The two countries also cooperate successfully in the finance field; Azerbaijan is in the choice group in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund which is chaired by Switzerland, and this country highly appreciates Azerbaijan's activity in this group, the ambassador said.

Switzerland is one of the largest investors in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan's fast-growing economy. More than 70 companies with Swiss capital are registered in the country.

Azerbaijani companies are also interested in the Swiss economy. Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR has already invested 380 million Swiss francs ($322.3 million), and a representative office of the company is operating in Switzerland.

SOCAR recently entered Switzerland's energy market by purchasing ESSO gas filling stations of the Exxon Mobil Company in this country. Thanks to the SOCAR's large investments, over 160 gas filling stations under the SOCAR brand operate in Switzerland today.

The Swiss embassy in Azerbaijan said in July that Switzerland will allocate 29 million Swiss francs (about $30.6 million) to Azerbaijan in the next four years to implement various projects.