Swiss President at a meeting with Putin said that the country owes a lot to Russia

In turn, the Russian leader noted an increase in trade between the two countries in 2018 by about 20%

 

Relations between Russia and Switzerland have a long history, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on Thursday with President of the Swiss Confederation Uli Maurer.

The Russian leader welcomed the Swiss delegation. “I remember our meeting in Sochi in 2014, I am very glad to see you in Moscow. There are long, very deep relations between our countries,” Putin said at the beginning of the meeting. The head of the Russian state also noted an increase in trade between the two countries last year by about 20%, calling it a “good indicator”.

Maurer, in turn, noted that he considers his visit to Moscow as an opportunity to develop bilateral relations. According to him, “there is great potential” for expanding relations between the two states in both economic and other fields.

“Switzerland owes a lot to Russia since the Vienna Congress – in 1815, thanks to Russia, Switzerland remained as an independent state <…> Whenever we are in Russia, we consider ourselves obligated to remember this, we always feel our gratitude”, –  the president said Swiss Confederation.