BERN, September 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged Switzerland on Monday to take a more active role in global efforts to tackle the ongoing economic slump.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz, Medvedev said although not part of the G20, "Switzerland is a major international financial hub and should have a more active role in discussions on acute issues concerned with solving the crisis and creating a new financial architecture."
His statement comes days before a summit of the world's 20 developed and developing nations in Pittsburg, the U.S., to discuss more steps to safeguard the global financial system and close gaps in regulation across the world to deter a new crisis.
Switzerland is a neutral country. It was one of the last to join the UN and is only a member of the European Free Trade Association and part of the Schengen Agreement.
Medvedev also said Russia could ask the Swiss authorities for data on Russians' bank accounts in Switzerland, and the two countries were working to amend relevant agreements. He said it was routine practice and a country's right "to check whether taxes are paid or not."
He also said Russia was seeking preferences for its investments in the country.
An unidentified Kremlin official complained earlier of discrimination against Russian investors in Switzerland citing a probe against billionaire Viktor Vekselberg.
Vekselberg is suspected of violating stock exchange disclosure requirements after he built up his stake in Sulzer engineering firm. He owns 31% in Sulzer through his investment vehicle Renova. The businessman denied any wrongdoing in the deal.
Medvedev is on a two-day state visit to Switzerland, the first official trip to the country by a Russian leader.
Russia and Switzerland signed four agreements on Monday, including on simplifying visa regulations and readmission.
On Tuesday, Medvedev is expected to visit central Switzerland for a monument to legendary Russian general Alexander Suvorov, who never lost a battle, and is also known for leading his army through the snow-capped Swiss Alps in a strategic retreat from overwhelming French troops in 1799.
