The parties analyzed the current state and prospects of further development of bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said.

It was noted that for the 20 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, significant positive experience of interaction was accumulated and the required legal base was created.

A mutual interest in enhancing relations in political sphere, strengthening inter-parliamentarian contacts with the aim of sharing experience to provide for political, judicial, social and economic reforms was underlined.

Trade-economic and investment cooperation is of key importance in enhancing Uzbek-Swiss dialogue. In the first quarter of 2012 the volume of mutual trade in comparison to the same period of 2011 increased by 22%. More than 90 enterprises with Swiss investment operate in different spheres of the Uzbek economy.

The Swiss delegation headed by the Deputy Secretary of State of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland George Martin with interest the detailed information on the possibilities of realization new joint projects in “Navoi” free industrial-economic zone and Angren special industrial zone, where favorable conditions are set for investor’s activity and significant tax preferences are provided.

Establishment of direct exchanges between higher education institutions, research and arts, medical facilities of Uzbekistan and Switzerland were discussed during the consultations.

International and regional issues were also considered at the meeting.

The Uzbek delegation also met and held negotiations with the state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Yves Rossier, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Swiss Council of States (upper chamber of the Parliament) Hanness Germann and director for international relations at the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology Franziska Schwarz.