Swiss Confederation
Bilateral diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Swiss Confederation
Switzerland recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the 23rd of December 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on the 21st of January 1992.
The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Swiss Confederation was established on the 6th of October 2004. The embassy has been active in Bern since September 2005.
In 2001, Switzerland opened a cooperation office in Baku. The Embassy of Switzerland was established in Baku in 2007. The official opening of the embassy took place in May 2008.
Azerbaijan attaches great importance to bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation and is interested in further expanding the existing co-operation between the two countries in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas. Bilateral relations are currently developing dynamically. There is a high-level political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Switzerland. This dialogue is ensured through regular meetings of heads of state as part of the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum in Davos, as well as bilateral contacts at the parliamentary level, at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and individual ministries. The opportunities created by the high-level political dialogue based on mutual trust create a good basis for co-operation between our countries in economic, humanitarian and other fields.
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, paid working visits to Switzerland to participate in the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum in Davos on the following dates: 16-19 January 2017; 16 October 2017; 23-26 January 2018; 22-25 January 2019 and 20-24 January 2020.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, paid a working visit to Switzerland on the 30th of October 2020.
The President of the Council of Cantons of the Swiss Confederation, Jean-Rene Fournier, visited Azerbaijan on the 10th to the 11th of October 2019.
The Azerbaijani-Swiss Working Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations has been active in the Milli Majlis since the 2nd of October2006, and plays an important role in expanding inter-parliamentary relations. The leader of the group is Mrs Hijran Huseynova. There is also a friendship group with Azerbaijan in the Swiss Parliament. This group is chaired by Yves Nidegger.
Contractual and legal framework
In total, twenty-eight documents were signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Swiss Confederation.
Economic co-operation
Economic relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland continue to develop at a high pace. Energy co-operation has a special place and importance in the Azerbaijani-Swiss economic relations. In this regard, the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation by and between Azerbaijan and Switzerland serves to expand relations in this area.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s growing economic potential and the progress it has made offer ample opportunities for Azerbaijani companies to invest in Switzerland. The fact that the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan owns gas stations in Switzerland under the SOCAR brand plays an important role in terms of promoting our country, along with its economic benefits.
Trade turnover between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Switzerland (In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
Years |
Trade turnover |
Exports |
Imports |
|
2016 |
164 781,5 |
101 669,49 |
63 112,01 |
|
2017 |
239 882,9 |
183 013, 67 |
56 869,23 |
|
2018 |
648 388,01 |
135 440,08 |
512 947,93 |
|
2019 |
1 402 367,56 |
179 090,07 |
1 223 277,49 |
|
2020 |
304 962,13 |
224 780,86 |
80 181,27 |
Source: The State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
On the 30th of October 2000, the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Swiss Federal Council signed an Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation. The first meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Swiss Federal Council was held in 2003.
Diplomatic mission
Address of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Swiss Confederation:
Kramburgstrasse 10, 3006 Bern
Official website http://www.bern.mfa.gov.az/