On the visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to the Swiss Confederation

On March 17-19, 2025, 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 the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, and cultural and humanitarian fields.

It was particularly noted that high-level visits play a key role in promoting interstate relations. In this regard, the parties considered the possibility of organizing such contacts during the International Year of Peace and Trust, including at international venues.

The diplomats noted the need to strengthen cooperation between the foreign policy departments of the two countries. The effectiveness of partnership within international structures, in particular the UN and the OSCE, was emphasized.

The current legal documents regulating relations between the two states, as well as those under development, were reviewed.

In addition, the diplomats discussed ways to develop trade and economic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Swiss Confederation, in particular through holding joint business forums and establishing systemic mechanisms for cooperation.

The diplomats also discussed the possibilities of developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including contacts in the areas of science and education. Interest was expressed in holding joint cultural events, cross-cultural Days, etc.

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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 the areas of 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 the development of the private sector.

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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 emphasized the importance of this visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to Bern 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, on the initiative of Turkmenistan, as the International Year of Peace and Trust. This year, various events are being held in Turkmenistan and abroad to promote peace, security and sustainable development in the world.

The main event of this kind is intended to be the International Forum of Peace and Trust, scheduled to be held on December 12 of this year in Ashgabat, which is also symbolic, since on this day Turkmenistan celebrates the 30th anniversary of the country’s permanent neutrality status.

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 representative forum of the International Year of Peace and Trust to the President of the Swiss Confederation.