Germany expresses readiness over nuclear talks with Iran
By Sara Rajabova
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has expressed his country's readiness to hold "substantial talks" with Tehran following the inauguration of Iran's new president Hassan Rohani.
"We are open to substantial talks," Westerwelle said on August 4, Press TV reported.
Rohani took the oath of office on August 4 in parliament in a ceremony attended by Iranian lawmakers and senior officials as well as delegations from over 50 countries.
During his speech at the ceremony, Rohani called on Western governments to stop using the language of sanctions to address Iran.
He noted that the only way for interaction with Iran is "dialog on an equal footing, mutual confidence-building, mutual respect and reduction of hostilities."
Saying that Berlin has "attentively registered" Rohani's remarks, Westerwelle added, "We will monitor closely if this is the start to constructive willingness to talk... we will gauge Iran by its actions."
Germany is a member of the P5+1 group of world powers, which also includes Britain, China, France, Russia and the US. The group and Iran have held several rounds of talks on a range of issues, with the main focus being on Tehran's nuclear energy program.
Meanwhile, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said at the meeting with new Iranian President Rouhani that Kazakhstan is ready to provide a site for the talks between Teheran and the P5+1 group on the Iranian nuclear program, Kazakh presidential press-service reported.
During the meeting the parties discussed the issue of settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program, and Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan is ready to take an active part in this process.
Besides, the EU's former foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed hope that the West and the U.S. will support Iran's determination to improve relations with the world countries.
"We won't have a long time. Neither the P5+1 nor Iran has much time. Therefore, the best choice is that the two sides take the issue seriously," Solana underlined.
In April, Iran and the G5+1 wrapped up two days and four rounds of intensive negotiations in Almaty after the delegations of the world powers demanded further consultations with their capitals.
The Iranian team was led by Iran's top negotiator Saeed Jalili and the G5+1's representatives were presided by EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.
The West, led by the United States, has imposed sanctions against Iran, accusing Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear energy program.
Iran has repeatedly dismissed the Western allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has every right to pursue nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.