 | |
 Azerbaijan |  Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Azerbaijan, Bern | Embassy of Switzerland, Baku |
| Envoy | |
| AmbassadorFuad Isgandarov[1] | Ambassador Thomas Stähli[2] |
Foreign relations exist betweenAzerbaijan andSwitzerland. Azerbaijan has an embassy inBern and Switzerland has one inBaku. Both countries are full members of theCouncil of Europe and theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
In November 1998, delegates of the two countries met and agreed to expand economic relations and the Swiss Government agreed to give a$US 50 million credit to Azerbaijan.[3]
Switzerland considers Azerbaijan an important country for economic development cooperation according to the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs[4] The Azeri president has stressed the importance of the ties between the two nations.[5]An intergovernmental agreement on trade and economic cooperation was signed in Baku in October 2000.[6]
The Swiss Foreign Affairs minister met theAzeri President in February 2006, where the two stressed the importance of their relationship.[7] During this visit, the focus was primarily on economic cooperation, however, the minister raised the issue of Azerbaijan's conflict withArmenia.[8] This was followed by a visit by the Swiss Energy Minister in October 2007, after which an energy agreement was signed.[9]
Further emphasis was placed on the relationship and further development made in a visit by the Swiss foreign affairs minister to Baku in May 2009,[10] where his Azeri counterpart said his country placed "great importance to boosting cooperation with Switzerland" and expressed hopes of deepening the existing bilateral ties.[11]
Switzerland has had a role in developing relations between Azerbaijan and theEuropean Union, with Swiss officials advocating closer ties between the EU and Azerbaijan in order to provide energy security for Europe. Switzerland has also provided 'neutral ground' for Azeri officials to meet with delegates of Western organisations and governments.[12]
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