Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Head of the Federal Department (Minister) of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis held a joint news conference following their talks in Moscow, Foreign Ministry’s website reports.
As Lavrov noted, “Ties between Russia and Switzerland have a long history and a foundation rooted in the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual interests. We enjoy a good political dialogue at all levels as well as stable trade growth. Last year trade reached $7.5 bln, which was a 20% increase. The first quarter of this year also saw 18% growth.”
“We also welcome the existing high level of investment activity. Direct Swiss investment in Russia totals almost $12 bln, while Russian investment in Switzerland stands at $18 bln. We have agreed to encourage the business communities’ interest in strengthening direct contacts, including as part of existing mechanisms to promote economic cooperation. I mean the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation as well as its working groups, including the ones established specially to dispel business people’s concerns in both countries,” the minister said.
We can see that there is mutual interest in engaging more Russian regions in cooperation and developing interregional cooperation in general. The recent establishment of the offices of the Swiss Honorary Consul in Samara and Novosibirsk will also help this process. In addition to the honorary consuls in Zurich and Lausanne, Russia proposed and received approval to name an honorary consul in Lugano.