Ambassador Edward T. McMullen is pleased to confirm the finalization of the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA), which will facilitate the transfer of critical food and medical supplies to the citizens of Iran. This is the result of many months of dialogue with our Swiss partners, and high-level visits supported by the U.S. Embassy in Bern, including U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s meeting with Swiss Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis last June.
The arrangement highlights the value of the partnership between Switzerland and the United States and exemplifies the great successes we can achieve working together. Ambassador McMullen says:
“I congratulate and thank the many officials in the Swiss government whose hard work made this important step forward possible. Federal Councilor Cassis has been a passionate advocate for the channel, as have officials in the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. The United States has an excellent partner in Switzerland.”
Following a successful trial run in January, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced the final terms of the arrangement today in Washington, D.C. The SHTA will further facilitate the flow of critical humanitarian goods to the Iranian people while safeguarding against the Iranian regime using humanitarian trade for malign purposes.
Please send any press inquiries to the U.S. Embassy Bern’s Public Affairs Office at bernpa@state.gov.
