Germany and Switzerland agreed Wednesday to resolve differences over tax policy that soured relations between the two countries last year.
"We want to get to grips with difficult topics in the spirit of good-neighbourliness," Swiss President Doris Leuthard said after talks with her German counterpart Christian Wulff.
The two sides have been at odds over the decision by Germany to purchase data obtained illegally about German tax dodgers in Switzerland.
The two nations have since started negotiations on a new tax agreement.
Wulff, who is on his first state visit since being elected to the largely ceremonial post in July, said it was not unusual for "even the best of neighbours to have differing interests and perceptions."
"We want to have a friendly and fair partnership on a level playing field," said the president, who wraps up his two-day visit on Thursday.
© dpa
