Swiss councillor assesses trip to Iran positive

Switzerland's Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis assessed his three-day trip to Iran and meeting Iranian officials as positive.

Iran PressIran news: The discussions between the Iranian and Swiss officials focused on Switzerland's efforts to keep the stability of the region.
 
They also addressed the bilateral roadmap agreed in 2016 covering, among other matters, trade and finance, human rights, and cooperation in the fields of science, the environment, health, intellectual property, and nuclear safety.

"With the payment mechanism for the export of medicine and food, we are not only supporting Swiss companies, but also the people of Iran, which is currently subject to US sanctions," noted councilor Cassis.

He cited the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement as a good example of Swiss-Iranian cooperation.

As part of the celebrations marking 100 years of Switzerland's diplomatic presence in Iran, Cassis opened an exhibition in Tehran on the history of Swiss-Iranian bilateral relations. "As early as 1873, the Swiss Confederation and the Persian Empire signed their first treaty of friendship and trade. Switzerland enjoys great trust in Iran, a fact that also benefits the work we do as part of the protecting power mandates," said Cassis at the opening ceremony.

Since 1980, Switzerland has represented US interests in Iran. In 2017, Switzerland assumed protecting power mandates for Iran in Saudi Arabia and for Saudi Arabia in Iran. Since 2019 it has also represented Iran's interests in Canada.

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Iran, Swiss FMs consult on developments in bilateral relations