Markus Leitner: "Switzerland and Iran are forward-looking countries that are proud of their traditions"

"Iran is a millenarian civilisation. A diplomatic presence going back a hundred years may not seem like much in view of this history. Yet this anniversary is important both for Iran and for Switzerland. Though geographically far apart, over the last hundred years our two countries have developed very extensive cooperation and exchanges under sometimes difficult circumstances. In my view this is a remarkable achievement."

In an interview conducted by telephone, the head of the Swiss embassy in Iran underlines the close relations and mutual trust between these two mountainous countries separated by a distance of more than 5,000 kilometres.

The trust between Switzerland and Iran is mutual. It has been built through strong links and exchanges in numerous fields.

These exchanges began over a century ago. As early as the 17th century, Swiss travellers visited Iran, which was then known as Persia. A small community of Swiss watchmakers also settled down in the country at the time. Official relations between the two countries were established in the 19th century. As the century progressed, the two countries steadily stepped up commercial, academic, economic and political exchanges. Following the Shah's visit to Switzerland in 1873, the Swiss Confederation and Persia signed a treaty of amity and commerce. In view of the deepening of relations across a wide range of areas, the Federal Council decided to open a Swiss representation in Tehran in 1920.

Today, cooperation between Switzerland and Iran spans a wide range of areas, including politics, economic relations, finance, trade, agriculture, culture, politics, education and training, research, migration, and human rights. "Trade and cooperation between Iran and Switzerland are growing steadily. A relationship based on trust is crucial in this part of the world," notes Leitner.

Switzerland has represented US interests in Iran since 1980, a testament to the trust it enjoys both in the United States and in Iran. Switzerland acts as an intermediary between the two countries under a protecting power mandate. A state with a protecting power mandate represents the interests of one state in a third state when the two states have broken off diplomatic relations. Switzerland has a long tradition of acting as a protecting power within the framework of the good offices it provides to other states. Switzerland is currently acting as a protecting power for Iran, the US, Russia, Georgia and Saudi Arabia.

In close cooperation with the US and Iranian authorities, Switzerland has also set up a banking channel (Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement) for the export of humanitarian goods to Iran. Since February 2020, this payment mechanism has enabled Swiss companies to deliver food, pharmaceutical and medical goods to Iran for humanitarian reasons.

The two countries are also working together to promote innovation through scientific and intellectual property cooperation. Swiss and Iranian universities and researchers are engaged in a broad range of exchanges. In addition, new partnerships are being established to strengthen intellectual property protection to ensure legal certainty and facilitate trade between Swiss and Iranian companies.

"Iranians have always liked Switzerland, which they see as a diverse, multicultural country that is proud of its traditions. The Swiss, for their part, have a fascination for this country, with its rich history and strong tradition of hospitality."  These positive perceptions are also based on shared and strong values. "Both are forward-looking countries that are proud of their traditions," concludes Ambassador Leitner.