BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. 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.
