Steinmeier to pay visit to Iran to boost bilateral ties: official

The upcoming Iran visit by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is geared to bolster bilateral ties on all fronts, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Martin Schaefer in Berlin on Monday.

When asked by IRNA about the objective of Steinmeier’s October visit to Iran, Schaefer said the July 14 nuclear agreement – and thus the settlement of a major dispute in the Near and Middle East – is a good reason for establishing new bilateral relations.

The German diplomat recalled the fact that both countries enjoyed very close ties dating back several centuries.

Germany was Iran’s most important trading partner for a long time.

Both countries had deep political, economic and cultural ties which were beneficial to both sides and we seek to re-establish that era, said Schaefer.

This will not happen overnight. This needs time but what is most important is that a first step will be taken and we feel that the timing of it and the international as well as bilateral state of affairs is conducive to boosting Berlin-Tehran relations, he added.

Schaefer said bilateral talks on details of Steinmeier’s Iran visit will soon begin.

The German foreign minister is to visit the Islamic Republic at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, Schaefer said.