Switzerland sees significant potential for clean energy cooperation with Azerbaijan and Central Asia as it accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis said, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
Cassis made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions following a joint briefing in Baku with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.
Cassis said SOCAR is a well-known company in Switzerland and operates an extensive network of filling stations in the country.
“SOCAR is well known in Switzerland. I personally also use SOCAR filling stations from time to time when I drive,” he said.
The minister noted that Switzerland is currently implementing a large-scale policy aimed at reducing dependence on hydrocarbons and fossil fuels while accelerating the transition to clean energy sources.
According to Cassis, the government is introducing various incentive mechanisms to support the development of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources.
“About one-third of private households in Switzerland already generate electricity through solar panels. During summer months, energy production can sometimes exceed the capacity of the country's electricity grid,” Cassis said.
He added that Switzerland has strong industrial potential in photovoltaic technologies and other clean energy solutions.
“This potential can also create opportunities for new investments in Azerbaijan and the Central Asia region,” Cassis said.
Cassis stressed that Switzerland supports the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy within the framework of COP and in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
“We believe the future belongs not to fossil fuels, but to clean energy. This transition should take place as quickly as possible in the coming decades, and we are ready to contribute as much as possible to this process,” Cassis added.
