Bern:Elchin Amirbayov, the Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special assignments, visited the Swiss Confederation to meet with key officials and discuss various bilateral and regional issues.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, during his visit, Amirbayov held meetings in Bern with Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Lchinger, National Security Adviser, Claudio Fischer, Head of the International Relations Secretariat of Parliament, and senior representatives of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).
The discussions focused on the current state and future development of Azerbaijan-Switzerland relations, the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, regional security, and transport connectivity. They also explored opportunities for cooperation in humanitarian demining efforts.
In the meeting with State Secretary Alexandre Fasel, both sides acknowledged the recent high-level visits and the Joint Economic Commission meeting in Bern as significant for enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Discussions also covered expanding ties in various sectors, encouraging Swiss investment in Azerbaijani reconstruction projects, and planning the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
Amirbayov briefed the Swiss officials on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, emphasizing the importance of removing legal inconsistencies between the peace agreement and Armenia's Constitution to ensure a lasting peace. Strengthening economic and trade relations, and fostering mutual trust and civil society contacts were also highlighted as critical to benefiting both nations' populations.
Regional connectivity projects, such as the Middle Corridor and the Zangezur Corridor, were discussed for their potential to restore transport links and enhance regional cooperation. Meetings also addressed expanding security cooperation on issues like cybersecurity and hybrid threats.
In separate discussions, the humanitarian threat of mines and unexploded ordnance in Azerbaijan was highlighted, with Switzerland expressing readiness to support demining projects through the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. Opportunities for collaboration between the GCSP and Azerbaijani institutions on research and training programs were also explored.
Amirbayov's visit concluded with an interview given to the Swiss weekly publication Die Weltwoche.