2023-09-20 10:21:27
A humanitarian gesture between the United States and Iran led to the exchange of five American prisoners for five Iranian prisoners, who will be able to reunite with their families.
On September 18, 2023, Switzerland handed over five of its nationals released by Iran to the United States authorities in the Qatari capital Doha. The United States, for its part, released five Iranian nationals.
Switzerland contributed greatly to ensuring that this humanitarian gesture had a favorable outcome; it also facilitated the unfreezing of Iranian funds blocked in South Korea planned as part of the agreement that had been concluded. The money released must be used exclusively for humanitarian purposes.
“Dialogue is always the best way,” said Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of the Swiss Confederation.
Often, simply trying to keep communication channels open is already an important step in preventing the escalation of a conflict and mitigating the consequences of disputes.
The representation of foreign interests is one of the good offices provided by Switzerland for a long time as part of its foreign policy. This year, the protecting power mandates for Saudi Arabia in Iran and for Iran in Saudi Arabia ended. Switzerland supported this transition, which will contribute to greater stability in the region.
In addition to the mandate it holds for the United States in Iran, it also has four other protecting power mandates: it represents Russian interests in Georgia, Georgian interests in Russia, Iranian interests in Egypt and Iranian interests in Canada. .
Par Kevin LognonéColumnist –
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