Swiss Neutrality Is An Economic Niche: Switzerland Signs $28 Billion Gas Deal With Iran

America does not buy from Iran, because Iran is an evil state. America did not buy from Iraq, for the same reason.

The Swiss, meanwhile, will hide behind their mask of neutrality, so they can do business with anybody.

Fuck the "Neutral" Swiss:


Swiss energy giant EGL is set to sign a 25-year deal in Teheran on Monday to buy 5.5 billion cubic meters of Iranian natural gas per year, starting in 2011, for a reported €18 billion.

Critics of the growing number of European-Iranian oil and gas deals argue that Teheran can use the profits for a nuclear weapons program.

Preda, from EGL, told the Post that the EGL was aware of the criticism, but "we say that Europe needs to diversify its supplies of gas."

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey will be present at Monday's signing between EGL and the National Iranian Gas Export Company.

The US Embassy in Bern could not be reached for comment on Sunday, but previously said, in response to a visit by an Iranian delegation to Switzerland in connection with the EGL gas deal, "New and large oil and gas deals with Iran send the wrong message at a time in which Iran continues to defy UN Security Council resolutions that demand a suspension of activities with respect to nuclear enrichment and processing."

When asked if EGL had violated the US Iran Sanctions Act, an EGL spokesman said, "The Iran Sanctions Act applies when we are investing" in Iran, but EGL is "purchasing gas from Iran."