Lifting of sanctions against Iran on the occasion of Implementation Day
Bern, 17.01.2016 - The Federal Council welcomes the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA on 16 January 2016 and congratulates the E3/EU+3 (China, Russia, USA, Germany, France and the UK) and Iran on the successful implementation of the plan reached on 14 July last year. As announced on 21 October 2015, Swiss sanctions against Iran will be lifted at the same time as those of the UN and the EU. To make that possible, the Federal Council conducted a total revision of the Ordinance on Measures regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new ordinance came into force at 12 am on 17 January 2016.
On 16 January 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA confirmed that Iran had complied with its obligations under the JCPOA. On this basis, this day becomes the ‘Implementation Day', i.e., the day on which the nuclear agreement is formally implemented. The agreement provides for the simultaneous lifting or suspension of a large portion of the international sanctions against Iran in return for IAEA-verified restrictions to Iran's nuclear programme.
Switzerland has always supported the process to negotiate and implement the agreement. The Federal Council is confident that implementation of the nuclear agreement and the lifting of international sanctions will enable political and economic exchanges with Iran to be intensified. It congratulates the parties involved on the successful implementation of the agreed plan.
On 21 October 2015, the Federal Council took a decision of principle on the future lifting of Swiss sanctions against Iran and commissioned the EAER to prepare the necessary changes to the relevant legislation. At its meeting on 11 November 2015, the Federal Council decided to conduct a total revision of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The remaining restrictions against Iran are based on the corresponding UN and EU measures. They concern trade and services involving arms, equipment which may be used for internal repression and delivery systems. Trade in nuclear goods and nuclear-related dual-use goods will be subject to licence. In addition, financial and travel restrictions remain in place for a limited number of individuals and firms. Further restrictions concern in particular technical services for Iranian cargo aircraft and the fulfilment of certain demands.
Address for enquiries
EAER Information Service
Tel. 058 462 20 07,
info@gs-wbf.admin.ch
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch
