12.06.2009

TAJIKISTAN: Switzerland and Tajikistan signed the Investment Protection Agreement and held political consultations

On Thursday, June 11, 2009 the Swiss Delegation consisting of Ambassador Christian Meuwly, Head of the Division for Europe, Central Asia and European Regional Organisations of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Stephan Nellen, accredited to the Republic of Tajikistan with residence in Astana/Kazakhstan, and Mr. Rudolf Schoch, Country Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan, held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan in which the progress and perspectives of bilateral cooperation and the partnership in the common constituency at the Bretton Woods Institutions were discussed.

<>Tajikistan and Switzerland agreed to sign the Investment Protection Agreement for the purpose of intensifying economic cooperation to the mutual benefit of both States, and creating and maintaining favourable conditions for investments by investors in both the States. <>

After the Investment Protection Agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Hamrohon Zarifee and Ambassador Stephan Nellen, political consultations led by the Head of Department of European and American Countries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Noziri Khusrav, were held. During these consultations the representatives of Tajikistan and Switzerland discussed the Double Taxation Agreement and its initialling, as well as the progress made with regard to the forthcoming Agreement on Re-Admission of Tajik and Swiss citizens.

The current difficult economic situation of Tajikistan exacerbated by the global financial crisis and aggravated by the structural weaknesses of the national economy may affect the country at all levels, with the most vulnerable groups to suffer the most. With the aim to mitigate disastrous effects of the crisis Switzerland continues its cooperation programme in Tajikistan to further support the government in its efforts to implement urgently needed reforms and structural adjustments directed at softening the consequences of the crisis.