Germany Reiterates Iran’s Key Role in Settling Regional Problems
(FNA)- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized Tehran's influential role in settling the regional problems and crises.
Berlin supports reaching a comprehensive nuclear agreement between Iran and Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany), Steinmeier said during the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York on Wednesday.
He also stressed that Tehran plays an influential role in resolving major regional crises.
Zarif, for his part, said that the West has found an "unprecedented opportunity" to settle the fabricated crisis created on Iran's nuclear program.
The two officials also discussed latest developments in Iran-G5+1 nuclear talks.
The 7th round of talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 started in New York on Friday.
The two sides held six rounds of negotiations in Vienna to reach a comprehensive deal after they inked an interim agreement in Geneva on November 24.
The Geneva agreement took effect on January 20 and expired six months later on July 20. In July, Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 after they failed to reach an agreement on a number of key issues.
On Tuesday, Rouhani underlined that Tehran will powerfully continue the talks with the six world powers, but would never give up its inalienable nuclear rights.
In a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, President Rouhani said it was a great mistake to think Iran entered the negotiations under pressure.
“Iran entered negotiations with serious resolve in order to serve the interest of itself and others.”
“As long as the Iranian nation’s rights are not damaged, we are prepared for agreement,” added the Iranian president.
Ban, for his part, praised Iran’s fruitful interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its active participation in negotiations with the Group 5+1.
President Rouhani left Tehran on Monday for New York to attend the 69th annual session of the UN General Assembly.