Official dinner reception hosted on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev in honor of President of Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter - UPDATE - PHOTOS

An official dinner reception has been hosted on behalf of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in honor of President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter.

President Ilham Aliyev once again welcomed President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter to our country, noting that many important issues concerning bilateral relations were discussed during the visit. Expressing his confidence that the presidency of Switzerland in the OSCE would be successful and that it would take an active part in the negotiations on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the President said: "The development of our bilateral relations is reassuring. We have established active contacts in a short time."

President Ilham Aliyev noted the development of investment and business relations between the two countries and pointed to the important role played by the joint economic commission in this field. Touching upon the importance of political connections and joint consultations, the President said that all of this formed the basis of the bilateral agenda.

Swiss President Didier Burkhalter said that the development of Baku had made ??a deep impression on him. He pointed out that it was very important for Switzerland to establish relations with dynamically developing countries, and the development of economic relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan was one of the important directions. Didier Burkhalter thanked President Ilham Aliyev for this opportunity and for the contribution to the creation of an atmosphere of reliable partnership between the two countries.

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After the one-on-one meeting, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter met in an expanded format with the participation of delegations.

President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Mr. President, distinguished guests, welcome to Azerbaijan. I am pleased to see you. This visit is very important. It is a good opportunity for reexamining our successfully developing bilateral ties, which cover many areas. I am confident that in the coming years our bilateral ties will become even stronger, because there is a strong political desire to develop them. The value our partnership is increasing, as it covers many areas – political, economic, investment and cultural. Therefore, I am convinced that in the coming years we will continue the strong partnerships that have been developing rapidly over the past few years.

Today we have discussed the good prospects for the expansion of our relations, in particular our cooperation in the areas of mutual investment and joint ventures, including the already started cooperation in the energy sector which promises to be very effective. You are visiting our country also as chairman of the OSCE.

We do hope that your visit to the region will be very fruitful and will contribute to the development of positive trends in our region, especially in terms of conflict settlement, and will promote the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Once again – you are welcome! We hope that your visit will be a success.

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President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter said:
- Mr. President and members of the delegation, thank you. First of all, I want to thank you for the very warm and cordial welcome. This reception is cordial in all senses of the word – both in terms of the country and from the standpoint of the scenic landscape. Thank you very much. This is my first visit to your country. I did not have enough time to thoroughly familiarize myself with your country. This will not be a visit of detailed familiarization.
I am sure that we will come here again and have more time to better study the region, your country, the city of Baku which made a deep impression on us last night, when I arrived, and this morning. Thank you for your welcome. This is a special time for our two countries. First of all, we have very good friendly relations which we can intensify. I am confident that we have a broad potential for private investment. Swiss companies are interested in investing in your country.

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02.06.2014
16:50
After the official welcoming ceremony, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with President of the Swiss Didier Burkhalter.

The sides expressed their satisfaction with the successful development of bilateral relations in the political, economic and other fields. The Presidents stressed the importance of reciprocal visits and meetings and pointed to the availability of good opportunities for the expansion of economic cooperation and mutual investment between the two countries.

The parties also emphasized the importance of the official visit of President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter to for the expansion of bilateral relations.

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An official welcoming ceremony for President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter, who is paying an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, has been held.

A guard of honor was arranged for the distinguished guest in a square decorated with state flags of the two countries.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to President Ilham Aliyev.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Swiss Confederation.

National anthems of Switzerland and Azerbaijan were played.

The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor.

The President of Switzerland saluted Azerbaijani soldiers.

State and government officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan were introduced to President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter and members of the Swiss delegation were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev.

The guard of honor marched in front of the heads of state to the accompaniment of a military march.

The Presidents posed for official photos.

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09:45
President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter has arrived in Azerbaijan for an official visit.

A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up for the Swiss President as he touched down at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

Didier Burkhalter was welcomed by Azerbaijani first deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov and other officials.