Islam Times - Germany voices readiness to engage in ‘substantial talks’ with Iran

Islam Times - 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 Sunday.

Rohani took the oath of office on Sunday in Majlis 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 the Islamic Republic.

“I say candidly that if you want a proper response, speak to Iran not with the language of sanctions but with the language of respect,” Rohani stated.

The new chief executive 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.

The US, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of potentially pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Tehran has categorically rejected the accusation, arguing that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.