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German minister says revival of relations with Iran needs time

Xinhua, October 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

The visiting German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said here Monday that it would take time to revive the relations between Iran and Germany, official IRNA news agency reported.

Gabriel made the remarks in the 5th meeting of the German-Iranian Joint Economic Commission.

With reference to the implementation of Iran's nuclear deal early this year, Germany is committed to reviving economic relations with Iran, he said, adding that, however, it needs time to this end.

Gabriel also urged German private sector to start business with their Iranian counterparts.

Germany supports Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), he added.

On Monday, Iran and Germany signed several cooperation documents in fields of banking, oil and gas, environment, urbanization, investment, business and energy.

Before visiting Iran, Gabriel said that Tehran should recognize Israel before Berlin normalizes ties with Tehran.

Iran could have normal and friendly relations with Germany "only when it accepted Israel's right to exist," Gabriel said in an interview with the Germany weekly Der Spiegel

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said Saturday the Islamic republic would never recognize Israel as a precondition for normalizing ties with Germany.

"Ties between Iran and Germany are based on mutual respects and interests, and no precondition would be acceptable in this regard," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said.

"Iran considers defending the rights of the people of Palestine as a principle of its foreign policy and will never, and under no circumstances, forsake the Palestinian cause," Qasemi was quoted as saying.

Following the implementation of Iran's nuclear deal in January, Tehran is struggling to restore its ties with European countries which had been affected by the U.S.-led economic and financial sanctions.

The deal which was sealed in July last year put an end to the decade-long controversial issue of Iran's nuclear program. Endit