Visit by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to Moscow
Bern, 23.10.2012 - Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will be in Moscow on 24 and 25 October for an official visit. During this working trip, he will meet with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral and international issues. This is the first official visit to Sergei Lavrov by Federal Councillor Burkhalter.
Relations with Russia have become progressively dynamic since the Federal Council approved its strategy for this priority country in 2007. The Memorandum of Understanding signed at that time on the bilateral relationship has significantly strengthened cooperation at the political, economic, scientific and cultural levels. Besides regular high-level contacts, dozens of bilateral consultations are held each year, including a growing number on financial and energy issues. Contractual relations and legal certainty will now be further reinforced, among other things in the areas of double taxation, trade and science.
During his visit, the Head of the FDFA will discuss with his Russian counterpart matters related to Russia's presidency of the G20 in 2013 and Switzerland's chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014. In addition to bilateral affairs, the talks will also cover international issues such as the crisis in Syria and the situation in the Southern Caucasus. Switzerland plays a special role in the relationship between Russia and Georgia by dint of its dual mandate as a protecting power, representing Russian interests in Georgia and Georgian interests in Russia.
Further information:
Jean-Marc Crevoisier,
Head of FDFA Information
+41 79 763 84 10
Press Conference:
Russian Foreign Ministry
ul. Spiridonovka 17
Shishkin Alexey Nikolaevich, +7 499 244 18 63
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Time: 11am
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
