In a meeting that took place in Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern Monday night, visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Switzerland’s President Alain Berset stressed that there is no obstacle hindering the development of Tehran-Bern ties, voicing their respective countries’ resolve to make use of all existing capacities and potentials for the benefit of improving bilateral relations.
The two sides then discussed the Iran nuclear deal dubbed JCPOA, with President Rouhani describing the pact a multilateral and international agreement and censuring the US for its unilateral withdrawal; “Washington’s pullout from the JCPOA served to stress the fact that the country is not committed to its international agreements,” Rouhani said.
The Iranian president further highlighted the need for continuation of talks on regional and international issues between Tehran and Bern, adding “the Islamic Republic of Iran has never initiated tension in the region, and our policy is based on cooperation and friendship with neighboring countries.”
The Swiss president, for his part, hailed Tehran-Bern ties as progressing in various fields, including scientific cooperation and joint research.
President Berset also underscored his country’s support for the Iran nuclear deal, saying “this agreement was achieved after extensive negotiations, has been endorsed by the UN Security Council, and it is imperative for all countries to make efforts to preserve it.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is in Switzerland atop a high-ranking politico-economic delegation comprising Foreign Minister Zarif, Minister of Economy Masoud Karbasian, Minister of Culture Abbas Salehi, and Governor of Central Bank of Iran Valiollah Seif among other senior officials.
The focus of his visit is discussions on expansion of bilateral ties and the future of the Iran nuclear deal following the US pullout on May 8.
A number of agreements and declarations of intent are expected to be signed, before President Rouhani departs for Austria.
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