President Schneider-Ammann and President Rouhani agree on road map
Bern, 27.02.2016 - Swiss President Johann N. Schneider-Ammann was in Teheran on Saturday to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and several other members of the Iranian leadership, including the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The talks touched on a wide variety of policy areas, above all bilateral political and economic relations and international issues. Switzerland and Iran agreed on a road map for achieving closer bilateral relations, which will provide a framework for future cooperation.
The new framework document covers a wide number of areas. The aim is to relaunch various dialogues between Switzerland and Iran. These include an economic and financial dialogue and a human rights and justice dialogue; a dialogue on migration issues is already underway. The subject of closer cooperation on education, research and innovation was repeatedly raised and will be achieved through a series of agreements between Swiss and Iranian universities. Speaking on Saturday, the Swiss president expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the talks and the prospects for the further development of these extensive friendly relations. The roadmap forms a foundation on which to build closer bilateral relations; it provides for regular political exchanges.
In addition to the presidential delegation, a scientific delegation and an economic delegation of more than 40 members travelled to Iran. The talks on economic matters between the Swiss president and Iranian representatives focused on the common aim of promoting economic relations – in particular by improving the general framework for cooperation. Efforts will also be made to cooperate on financial and tax issues. The discussion topics also included Iran’s intention to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
More frequent political exchanges
President Schneider-Ammann and his Iranian counterparts also discussed several international matters. The talks covered Swiss and Iranian ideas for achieving a solution to the crises in the Middle East. President Schneider-Ammann will conclude his stay in Iran on Sunday with a visit to Teheran University, where he will give a speech on economic issues to economics students, faculty members and officials.
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Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
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