Signature of a Readmission and a Visa Agreement with Kazakhstan

In signing the readmission agreement, Switzerland’s objective is a simplified return of those persons who are under an obligation to leave the country. The agreement specifies the authorities who are competent to determine the nationality and the identification of persons obliged to leave, while regulating the operational elements of the return journey. In addition, the two foreign ministers signed an agreement on a mutual lifting of the visa requirement for holders of diplomatic passports.

During the ensuing working lunch, the two foreign ministers dealt with bilateral and international themes. Prominence was given to issues of regional and international security, the international economic situation, bilateral financial and trade relations, as well as energy issues. In recent years, Kazakhstan has become one of Switzerland’s main suppliers of petroleum.

Furthermore, the two parties agreed that the Protocol to amend the Convention on Double Taxation between Switzerland and the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be signed as soon as the Kazakh side has undertaken all necessary steps to remove Switzerland from its list of countries with favourable tax conditions. The removal shall become effective upon signature of the Protocol.

Tomorrow, 5 March 2010, Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey, in her capacity as Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, will meet again with Foreign Minister Saudabayev, currently Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), this time in Geneva. During this meeting - in which the two Secretaries-General Thorbjørn Jagland (Council of Europe) and Marc Perrin de Brichambaut (OSCE) will also participate - the Chairs of the two largest European multilateral organizations will engage in an exchange of ideas and discuss the various possibilities of strengthening the cooperation between the two organizations. Such a high-level "2+2" meeting takes place one or twice a year. It is organized on an alternating basis by the Chair of the Council of Europe and by the Chair of the OSCE. The 5 March meeting of the two organizations will mark their 19th summit. Following the meeting, a joint declaration will be prepared for distribution to the delegations of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the delegations of the OSCE in Vienna, and to the press.

Further information:
Erik Reumann, Information FDFA, Tel: +41 31 322 14 72
Marie Avet, Federal office for migration, Tel: +41 31 323 43 88   

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs