(File photo: AP)

GENEVA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Sunday discussed the possibility of a free trade agreement with visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the southern Swiss town of Bellinzona.

"It is clear to both sides that both countries must benefit from an agreement," said Cassis.

The top Swiss diplomat on Sunday received his US counterpart, who is currently paying an official working visit to Switzerland. It is the first time in two decades that a US secretary of state has visited the country for bilateral talks.

During their talks, Cassis also emphasized Switzerland's support for the United Nations (UN) reforms initiated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, explaining that "Switzerland wants a more effective and efficient UN."

Cassis said the United States is Switzerland's second most important trading partner, and Switzerland is one of the United States' 15 largest trading partners.

The trade volume between the two countries amounts to about 120 billion US dollars a year.