“This is a further important step to revive our economic relations,” Sigmar Gabriel, the German Economy Minister and vice chancellor, said in a statement.
Gabriel said the payment will allow Germany to re-establish credit guarantees that support exports to Iran. The Iranian government had declined to fulfil all its credit obligations while it was subject to sanctions, some of which were lifted in January, the ministry said.
Clarifying the outstanding debt was a key element in re-establishing trade links with Iran as German businesses pushed to increase ties. The Economy Ministry had previously said Iran owed about €500m ($567m). German export credit guarantees last year supported €25.8bn in exports worldwide.
