From March 17-19, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Ahmet Gurbanov, visited the Swiss Confederation.
During the visit, political consultations were held with Muriel Peneveyre, Head of the Eurasia Division of the State Secretariat of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
During the talks, the parties discussed the current level of cooperation between the two countries in political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian areas, including contacts in science and education. They also explored the possibility of holding joint business forums, establishing systemic mechanisms for cooperation, and organizing cultural events, such as cross-cultural Days. The parties considered the potential for organizing such contacts during the International Year of Peace and Trust, including at international venues.
The diplomats emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between the foreign policy departments of the two countries. The effectiveness of partnership within international structures, particularly the UN and the OSCE, was also highlighted.
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During the visit of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Ahmet Gurbanov, to Switzerland, he met with Andrea Rauber Saxer, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations Divisions of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO).
During the meeting, the parties expressed their commitment to developing cooperation between the two countries in trade, energy, transport, agro-industry, and investment activities. The possibilities of establishing mechanisms for cooperation between Turkmenistan and SECO were discussed, including the exchange of experience and the application of innovative solutions in private sector development.
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Ahmet Gurbanov also met with Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
At the meeting, the importance of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan’s visit to Bern was emphasized for further strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the Swiss Confederation.
A. Gurbanov noted the special significance of the current year, declared by the UN General Assembly, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, as the International Year of Peace and Trust. He highlighted that various events, such as the International Forum of Peace and Trust, are scheduled to be held on December 12 of this year in Ashgabat, which is also symbolic, as Turkmenistan celebrates the 30th anniversary of the country’s permanent neutrality status on that day.
In this regard, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan presented an invitation, on behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to the President of the Swiss Confederation, to attend the representative forum of the International Year of Peace and Trust.
