TEHRAN, Oct. 13 (Mehr News Agency) - Michael Ambuhl, state secretary at the Swiss Foreign Ministry, stated here on Monday that gas deal with Iran is significant to Bern.

Ambuhl emphasized that Iran's gas export to Switzerland will open a new chapter in the two countries' relations.

In 2008, Switzerland's Elektrizitaetsgesellschaft Laufenburg (EGL) signed a 25-year deal with the National Iranian Gas Export Company for the delivery of 5.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

The deal is aimed at reducing Bern's dependency on Russian gas.

Speaking at a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Mahdi Safari, the Swiss official called for the expansion of relations between the two countries.

Safari said political and economic relations between the two countries have expanded significantly in recent years.

Iran, a country with abundant oil and gas reserves, can be a key player in the European energy market, Safari stated.

He also thanked Switzerland for hosting the talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) on October 1.

... Payvand News - 10/13/09 ... --