Medvedev, Calmy-Rey to discuss Moscow-Bern cooperation

MOSCOW, July 13 (Itar-Tass) - Interaction between Russia and
Switzerland in the world arena, including on the issue of representation
of Russian interests in Georgia will be discussed on Wednesday by the two
countries' Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Micheline Calmy-Rey. Their
meeting will be held in the town of Kolomna in the Moscow region, the
Kremlin press service told Itar-Tass.
"The exchange of views on important issues of European and world
politics will be aimed at expanding cooperation spheres," the
press-service noted. The Kremlin has pointed to "a significant convergence
of views of Russia and Switzerland on the most pressing global and
regional issues, which creates a good basis for cooperation between the
two countries within international organisations and forums."
Bern took a benevolent interest in the Russian initiative for a
European Security Treaty, and makes a practical contribution to its
substantive discussion by organising in 2009 and 2010 in Geneva a series
of expert high-level meetings on the European security architecture - the
so-called Chambesy process - with the participation of representatives of
international organisations (the United Nations, OSCE, CSTO, NATO) and
political scientists.
"The discussion of cooperation with Switzerland on the matters of
representation of Russian interests in Georgia and Georgian - in Russia
after official Tbilisi broke diplomatic relations with our country in 2008
is expected to become an important part of the upcoming talks," the
Kremlin noted. The press service recalled that it is carried out through
the relevant Interest Sections at the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi and Moscow,
which are regulated by intergovernmental agreements - the Russian-Swiss of
13 December 2008 and the Georgian-Swiss of March 4, 2009. "Thanks to
Switzerland's good offices there is an opportunity to solve urgent
consular and humanitarian problems of our compatriots and the numerous
Georgian diaspora in Russia," the Kremlin noted.
Russia's export to Switzerland increased by 43 percent and exceeded
one million Swiss francs, Chief of the Swiss Federal Department of
Economic Affairs Johann Schneider-Ammann said earlier. At Monday's meeting
of business communities at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry he
noted that the two countries have got prosperous and intensive relations.
But, he is confident that Russia and Switzerland should pay special
attention to further development of innovations. Russia has a huge
potential in this sphere, Schneider-Ammann said.
According to the Swiss minister, Russia highly appreciates his country
for confidence, while Switzerland considers Russia's colossal potential.
In 2010, Russia's export to Switzerland grew by 43 percent, as compared to
the period of the global financial and economic crisis, Schneider-Ammann
said, adding, that the indicator reached 1.4 million Swiss francs.
The Swiss high-ranking official stated that his visit to Russia is
aimed at the analysis how to intensify bilateral cooperation. In his
words, Switzerland hails Russia's accession to the World Trade
Organisation, which will make it possible to turn the relations between
the two countries into more transparent.
Deputy President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Georgy Petrov stated that "closer relations with Switzerland are simply of
huge necessity for our country in the process of Russia's modernisation
and transition into the innovative development way." "About 600 Swiss
companies develop business activity in Russia. The above-mentioned
companies are involved in the business activities not only in Moscow and
St. Petersburg, but also in Vladivostok, the Arkhangelsk region and the
Republic of Tatarstan," he said.