Reciprocal interests of Azerbaijan, Switzerland may help in forming a new transportation route: Ilham Aliyev - UPDATE

Oct. 21
10:04

"Honorable Mr. President,
Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to thank you Mr. President for inviting me to visit your beautiful country and also for hospitality shown to me and my entourage," President Aliyev said.

"I consider this visit, the first official visit of an Azerbaijani president to Switzerland, an important step towards developing the bilateral relations. We enjoy the successfully developing ties. Early this year we met with you in Davos and had very interesting discussions," the president said.

"And today we are continuing our dialogue.This dialogue covers a variety of spheres. We have had very good results and this can be continued as our relations are very promising," he said.

"Over the last few years our relations have seen dynamic development. Reciprocal visits by presidents and delegations, creation of friendship groups at the Swiss and Azerbaijani parliaments and the holding of the Azerbaijani culture days in Switzerland are all important elements of our bilateral relations.

Switzerland is a close partner and friend of ours. Mr. President, the atmosphere that you have created here today is the atmosphere of real friendship," the president added.

"We have discussed very important issues concerning our bilateral relations and ways of developing them. We`ve also explored opportunities for implementing joint investment projects both in Switzerland and Azerbaijan. Our trade is increasingly growing, and our economic relations are successfully developing despite the global financial crisis.

Today we`ve also discussed settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. I`ve updated Mr. President on latest developments in the talks."

"Early this year we already discussed our energy cooperation, and this issue will be discussed today and tomorrow. We have big potential in this sphere. We have common perspectives related to the European energy security. With its rich oil and gas reserves, Azerbaijan is ready to supply its energy carriers to its partners in Europe. Our reciprocal interests in this respect may help us in forming a new transportation route to be named “Southern corridor”," the president said.

"I believe our relations will continue developing in future. We have all necessary conditions for this – political will, strong political ties, reciprocal attractiveness of our economies and favorable investment opportunities," he said.

"We have adherence and ability to pursue an independent policy, we have a favorable geographical location and we have a desire to build closer relations for the prosperity of our peoples and countries," he said.

"I`m greatly satisfied with our discussions, our meeting has been very fruitful. It has allowed us to focus on traditional issues of mutual interest and outline our new priorities," he noted

"Mr. President,

Once again I thank you for inviting us here and for your hospitality," the president said.

Oct. 20
16:12

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met Tuesday here Swiss Federal Counselor, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications Moritz Leuenberger.

The talks focused on the current state of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Switzerland.

It was stressed that there were good prospects for expansion of cooperation in this sphere even more.

The sides also exchanged views on studying opportunities for cooperation on renewable and alternative energy sources.

09:45

In the frame of his official trip to the Swiss Confederation, President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva visited the office of Mayor of Bern.

Mayor of Bern Alexander Tscheppet highlighted on the history and the present of city which plays important role in the socio-political and cultural life of country.

Then, the President and First Lady were accompanied by the Mayor in city tour.

They, in particular, visited a church, architectural pearl of 16th century.

Following the church visit, President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the Albert Einstein House Museum.

Here, the President and his spouse were taken their photos in front of the Clock Tower.

09:35

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz met Monday here in the presence of the two countries` delegations.

President Hans-Rudolf Merz said “we have intensive relations at the level of heads of state and other levels. He added inter-parliamentary groups contribute to boosting bilateral relationship even more.

On Azerbaijani days in Switzerland, he noted “such events contribute to bringing our peoples closer”.

According to the Swiss President, bilateral economic cooperation is developing rapidly.

“Our energy cooperation is expanding, we have projects in non-energy sector, as well”, he added. President Hans-Rudolf Merz underlined the importance of expansion of cooperation in alternative energy sector.

He also praised the fact that the volume of trade turnover between the two countries has increased.

For his part, President Ilham Aliyev said his official visit to Switzerland serves deepening of relations.

The President pointed out bilateral economic cooperation was developing rapidly, and that the two countries have greater potential for this. He also added “we have strong political ties”.

The Azerbaijani leader underlined “our energy cooperation is continuing successfully”, adding “there are good opportunities in non-energy sector and they should be expanded”.

President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of Azerbaijani days in Switzerland

He also underscored the necessity of continuing political consultations on bilateral and regional issues.

The sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional cooperation and international issues.

09:30

Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev met Monday here with Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Council of States on Oct. 19.

Berset described the level of inter-parliamentary ties as “very good”, adding inter-governmental relations are developing, as well.

He praised the fact that an interparliamentary friendship group on Azerbaijan functions in the Swiss parliament.

Touching upon the importance of Azerbaijani days in Switzerland, Berset said “such events contribute to raising our awareness of each-other”.

President Ilham Aliyev said “we have multi-faceted relationships and there are improvements in various spheres”.

The President pointed out that a friendship group on Switzerland functions in Azerbaijan`s Milli Majlis, too, and “our country attaches great importance to inter-parliamentary relations”.
The Head of State described the level of inter-governmental ties as “good”.

He added the visit by Swiss President to Baku last year and Azerbaijani President`s current trip to Switzerland contribute to strengthening “bilateral relations”.

President Ilham Aliyev pointed out “there has been strong dynamics in development of our relations and this serves interests of the two countries”.

According to the President, bilateral economic cooperation is developing and relevant new projects of mutual interest are underway.

The Azerbaijani leader also stressed the importance of holding Azerbaijan Days in Switzerland.

Oct. 19
18:10

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been given an official welcome to Switzerland.

A guard of honor was lined up at the square decorated with the national flags of Azerbaijan and Switzerland.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz.

The two leaders inspected a ceremonial guard of honor as a military orchestra played the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Switzerland.

Swiss officials were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev, while members of Azerbaijan`s delegation to President Hans-Rudolf Merz.

The presidents then posed for photographs.

09:21

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in Switzerland for an official visit on Oct. 18.

At the international airport in Zurich city, President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva were welcomed by high-ranking Swiss state and government officials.

From Zurich, President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse were escorted to capital Bern.

/AzerTaj/