GENEVA, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland said on Saturday that it was for a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis and willing to provide support for such a solution.

"Switzerland favors a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue and is willing, if requested, to provide its support compatible with its means," said the Swiss Foreign Ministry in a statement.

The ministry also reaffirmed Switzerland's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, but added that every state had the right to make peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The statement was issued after a meeting between Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani in Bern, the Swiss capital.

Larijani has been meeting European leaders over the past few days.
After meeting with his Swiss counterpart, Larijani said that he hoped Switzerland would contribute to a diplomatic solution of the nuclear crisis.

But he did not elaborate on what kind of role Switzerland could play in the process.

Laranjani's visit was ostensibly to inform Calmy-Rey of the Iranian government's position on the nuclear issue.

Switzerland has represented American interests in Tehran since 1981. The United States and Iran broke off diplomatic relations in 1980 after students took U.S. embassy staff hostage.