The United States and Switzerland met in a joint working group yesterday in Washington, DC, as part of an annual effort established within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Switzerland and the United States in May 2006. The aim of this joint working group is to identify areas of cooperation and to intensify bilateral relations between Switzerland and the United States.

Topics from yesterday’s talks included the South Caucasus, support for democracy-building efforts, including in North Africa and the Middle East, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, food security, human rights and the environment.

The Department of State looks forward to continued close cooperation with the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs on a wide range of issues and working to address global challenges jointly.