Iran, Switzerland draw up roadmap of bilateral relations

In this joint statement which was published simultaneously in the capitals of both countries, the road map of relations of Tehran and Bern was elaborated on in 13 paragraphs.

The full text of the road map is as follows:

ROAD MAP FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN AND THE SWISS CONFEDERATION

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Swiss Federal Council (hereafter “the Participants”),

Mindful of the friendly relations existing between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Swiss Confederation, based on the principles of mutual respect and dialogue on all issues of common concern;

Recognizing the significance of a broad dialogue and an enhanced cooperation for the strengthening of the mutual understanding between the Participants;

Aiming at a better mutual understanding on all matters of common interest with a view to contribute to the strengthening of international peace, stability, security and economic well-being;

Expressing their wish to further strengthen their bilateral relations and reinforce their cooperation;

Welcoming the adoption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between Iran and the E3/EU+3 and supporting its implementation;

Reiterating that both countries are bound by the principles and aims enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and adhere to the prevalence of international law,

Hereby declare their common intention to institutionalize a framework for cooperation on matters of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and multilateral matters and to establish dialogues on political, economic, financial, legal, security, cultural and scientific matters as well as other areas.

Paragraph 1 – Political Consultations

1.1. – The Participants intend to engage in enhanced and systematic Political Consultations, with the aim of strengthening the bilateral relations and promoting cooperation, joint initiatives and implementation of projects in fields of common interest, in order to pursue the following objectives:

·         Exploiting the potential of the existing bilateral relations through deepening and broadening dialogue;

·         Facilitating better understanding of regional and international issues;

·         Contributing to the strengthening of regional and international peace, security and stability.

1.2. – Political Consultations should take place at the following levels:

·         Regular meetings of Ministers;

·         Regular meetings of Deputy Ministers;

·         Regular meetings at the level of Senior Officials or Experts.

1.3. – Political Consultations at ministerial level will study major developments and issues of mutual concern from a bilateral, regional and international perspective.

Paragraph 2 – Economic and Financial Affairs

2.1. – Economic and financial cooperation

2.1.1. – Recognizing the particular importance of foreign trade and of different forms of economic cooperation for the economic relations of both countries, the Participants declare their willingness to make efforts to encourage and promote mutual trade as well as various forms of commercial and economic cooperation in areas of mutual interest. In the context of such cooperation, the Participants intend to, inter alia:

·         Strengthen and diversify economic relations in order to expand the level of trade and investment, building on the common interest of their respective business communities;

·         Establish framework conditions for trade and investment in order to intensify and expand all forms of commercial and economic relations between the two countries;

·         Further explore areas of possible cooperation in view of the sustainable development of the economies;

·         Further and deepen cooperation in the field of intellectual property;

·         Examine ways of improving conditions for the development of direct contacts between economic operators and to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in trade and cooperation;

·         Hold consultations on issues related to trade and investments between the Participants;

·         Undertake the necessary steps in order to proceed to the ratification of the Trade Agreement signed on 24th May 2005.

2.1.2. – Confirming their intention to engage in regular consultations on financial matters between the competent authorities, the Participants intent to aim at enhancing mutual cooperation in bilateral and multilateral matters as well as at facilitating and coordinating positions in terms of international standards. In the context of these consultations, the Participants intend to, inter alia:

·         Consider areas for exchanging technical expertise, training and know-how, through public and private means, to facilitate the reintegration of the Iranian financial markets into the global financial system;

·         Evaluate the prevailing framework for financial institutions with a view to further improve, encourage and enable financial transactions between both countries;

·         Cooperate in the field of taxation and initiate negotiations on an amending protocol to the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation entered into force on 31 December 2003 with a view to bringing the agreement in line with the international standard of information exchange on request.

2.1.3. – Aiming at strengthening bilateral trade, the Swiss Export Risk Insurance SERV and the relevant Iranian organizations intend to support the establishment of banking relations between the two countries. In this context the Swiss Export Risk Insurance SERV is prepared to evaluate the insurance cover for a number of Iranian banks.

2.1.4. – Reaffirming its readiness to support Iran’s accession to the WTO, Switzerland is available to chair the relevant Working Party once there is an emerging consensus among WTO Members to resume the accession process.

2.2. – Economic and financial dialogues

Regular consultations on economic and financial matters should take place:

·         At the level of senior officials of the Ministries of Economy and Finance, as appropriate, and may include representatives from central banks and other authorities responsible for economic and financial markets;

·         Between senior experts of the authorities concerned.

Paragraph 3 – Transportation

The Participants intend to cooperate in the following areas with regard to road, air and railroad transportation:

3.1. – Road transportation

The Participants are ready to discuss different issues on road transportation and in particular to negotiate a road transportation agreement in line with the development of bilateral trade ties.

3.2. – Air transportation

Confirming their intention to allow the prosperous development of air connections for passenger and cargo flights between the two countries, the Participants intend to, inter alia:

·         Begin the operational procedures for the resumption of direct flights between the two countries within the framework of the air services agreement signed on 24 May 2004, in force since 16 January 2007, and based on the latest Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral aviation cooperation dated 29 September 2009;

·         Hold official bilateral meetings in order to conclude a new and liberal bilateral air services agreement, and to sign an associated new Memorandum of Understanding.

3.3. – Railroad transportation and Public Transport Systems

Aiming at broadening the mutual understanding, deepening the exchange of information and strengthening the cooperation in the railway sector, the relevant organizations of the Participants intend to work together in order to evaluate possible fields of collaboration and evaluate the conclusion of Memoranda of Understanding amongst interested parties.

The Memoranda of Understanding should aim to sustain cooperation in key areas, such as exchange of information and cooperation in the following sectors, inter alia:

·         Presence of Swiss companies in railroad tenders and provision of medium-term and long-term finance;

·         Purchase of passenger wagons, electric locomotives, local and speed trains along with transfer of technology to the Iranian side by Swiss wagon manufacturing companies;

·         Rolling stock and its key components;

·         Railway infrastructure, such as signaling and traffic management systems, traction power supply and overhead lines, passenger information and ticket vending systems and other applications;

·         Workshop equipment and maintenance facilities;

·         Specialist civil works for rail infrastructure and construction;

·         Consulting in different domains, such as civil works, electrification, energy efficiency in traction power supply and distribution as well as other applications;

In order to facilitate the cooperation between the different organizations, the Participants should nominate a coordinating body.

Paragraph 4 – Agriculture

Aiming at broadening the mutual understanding, deepening the exchange of information and strengthening the cooperation in the field of agriculture the Participants declare their readiness to cooperate in the following fields, inter alia:

·         Plant and animal genetic resources

·         Animal and milk production

·         Animal husbandry practices and animal welfare

·         Geographical indications

·         Agricultural systems (especially organic farming)

·         Education of farmers

·         Research in the abovementioned fields

The details of this possible cooperation could be prepared in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding between the relevant organizations of the Participants.

Paragraph 5 – Tourism

Aiming at broadening the mutual understanding, deepening the exchange of information and strengthening the cooperation in the field of tourism, the Participants declare their readiness to cooperate in particular in the following key areas, inter alia:

·         Exchange of information and cooperation in tourism publicity and marketing;

·         Exchange of market intelligence;

·         Exchange of knowledge and competence in the field of education and consulting for the hotel- and hospitality sector.

The relevant organizations of the Participants intend to cooperate to evaluate the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation.

Paragraph 6 – Science, Research and Technology

Based on the principles of scientific excellence, mutual interest and bottom up initiative and in full respect of the autonomy of the concerned institutions the Participants declare their interest for cooperation in the fields of science, research and technology in particular in the following areas, inter alia:

·         Expansion and development of educational, research and technological relations in the fields of mutual interest and within the framework of the prevailing local laws and regulations of the two countries;

·         Direct cooperation between the Participants’ universities, higher education and research centers;

·         Exchange of scientists, professors and researchers to implement joint research and educational projects.

·         Holding of joint scientific seminars, educational workshops and conferences;

·         Exchange of students for long-term or short-term courses by making efforts in granting scholarships based on the proposed program of the two countries;

·         Relations between science and technology parks and growth centers of the two countries;

·         Exchange of professors and Ph.D. students for research opportunities;

·         Expeditious deployment of official scientific fact finding missions to the respective partner country, in order to explore opportunities for cooperation;

·         Exchange of information and documents in the field of higher education, in order to foster clear understanding on the respective national systems and regulations.

 

Paragraph 7 – Environment

The Participants declare their readiness to cooperate in the field of environment through enhanced consultations within the multilateral environmental agreements to which they are both Parties or through bilateral exchange of experience at the expert level, on an ad hoc basis.

Paragraph 8 – Archives

The Participants declare their readiness to cooperate in the field of archiving through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the relevant bodies of the two countries.

Paragraph 9 – Civil Nuclear safety

The Participants declare their readiness to cooperate in the field of civil nuclear safety through the signing of a MoU between the relevant bodies of the two countries.

Paragraph 10 – Human rights

The Participants declare their intent to resume a dialogue on relevant human rights issues.

The modalities holding this dialogue should be determined through consultations between the relevant officials of the Participants.

Paragraph 11 – Legal and judicial matters

The Participants declare their intent to begin a dialogue about legal and judicial matters and to discuss matters of mutual interest.

The manner of holding this dialogue should be determined through consultations between the relevant officials of the Participants.

Paragraph 12 – Consular and migration matters

The Participants declare their interest and preparedness to continue the dialogue about consular and migration matters and to discuss the following issues:

·         visa facilitation

·         return of irregular migrants

·         and others

The modalities of holding this dialogue should be determined through consultations between the relevant officials of the Participants.

Paragraph 13 – General regulations

13.1. – This Road Map includes an introduction and 13 paragraphs.

13.2. – It is not intended to create any legally binding obligation between the Participants.

Issued simultaneously in Bern and in Tehran on 27th February 2016, corresponding to 8th Esfand, 1394 in Farsi, German and English, each language being equally valid.