Swiss FM calls for boosting scientific, tourism ties with Iran

During a visit to the city of Isfahan, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has underlined the need for developing scientific and tourism relations with Iran.

Cassis on Saturday arrived in Isfahan, where he visited historical and cultural monuments and held talks with university directors and professors as well as Isfahan Governor General Abbas Rezaei.

He will travel to Tehran Sunday and meet with President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other senior officials.

In a meeting with Rezaei, Cassis said he believed that Iran-Swiss ties should be enhanced in scientific and tourism sectors.

He also noted that a celebration would be held in Tehran to mark the centenary of diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Bern.

Relations between Iran and Switzerland are 100 years old and have continued since the late 19th century with the signing of a peace and trade agreement, he added.

Referring to Switzerland's mediating role between Iran and the US, Cassis stressed that his country is trying to provide the minimums for dialogue between the two states.

During a meeting with directors of Isfahan University of Technology, the top Swiss diplomat described scientific diplomacy as a way for countries to engage more in peace and reconciliation at a time when sanctions have made contacts difficult.

ME