The Foreign Affairs Minister of Switzerland Micheline Calmy-Rey visited Astana

Astana, October 07, 2009 (Khabar) - She has met with her Kazakshtani colleague Kanat Saudabayev and discussed the further perspectives of cooperation. The diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Switzerland were established in 1992. Today Kazakhstan is the main trade partner of Swiss Confederation in the region. More than 50 companies with Swiss investments operate in our country. There are several agreements between the countries. Among of them are treaties on protection of investments and trade-economical connections development. The documents on simplification of visa regime and avoid of double taxation will be signed soon.

Micheline Calmy-Rey, Federal Advisor – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Swiss Confederation:
- The partnership of Switzerland and Kazakhstan is strengthens from year to year. The decision of Swiss government to place its embassy in Astana proves these words. The official opening of the embassy is today. Our countries will head two important international organizations in future. In November Switzerland will hold a post of the chairman of the European Council, and the next year Kazakhstan will head the OSCE. We hope that our states will cooperate productively, paying attention to human problems, issues of ecology and safety.