ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - American and Iranian officials are set to meet in Switzerland on Friday for “initial negotiations” on implementing the preliminary understanding signed by the presidents of both countries on Thursday, Bern’s foreign ministry confirmed, adding that mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and “other involved countries” are also expected to participate in the talks.
“Switzerland welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran at the highest level,” the ministry said in a Thursday statement, describing the agreement as “an important step toward de-escalation in the region.”
Bern added that “plans remain in place for [representatives of] the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar and other involved countries,” to meet at the Burgenstock on Friday for “initial negotiations on implementing the agreement,” noting that no further information is currently available “on the agenda or details of the meeting.”
Of note, Burgenstock is a premier venue for high-level international diplomacy. Located in central Switzerland near Lake Lucerne, it has a long track record of hosting critical peace talks and diplomatic gatherings, including the 2024 Ukraine Peace Summit.
The Swiss foreign ministry’s remarks come shortly after the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran was signed by the presidents of both countries on Thursday, the White House and Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed, with the latter indicating that earlier plans for an official signing ceremony in Switzerland are no longer expected to take place.
Instead, Iranian foreign ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that “from the moment the MoU comes into effect, which is now, we will have 60 days to negotiate on the nuclear issue and sanctions.”
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