Top German MP To Head to Iran For Talks On Geneva Deal

Berlin, Jan 5, IRNA - A leading German lawmaker of the co-ruling Christian Democratic party (CDU) is to travel to Iran on Monday for political talks, dwelling also on the latest developments in Tehran's nuclear case. Talking to IRNA ahead of his five-day trip to Iran, the deputy chairman of the CDU faction, Andreas Schockenhoff said his meetings with Iranian officials would focus on the November 24 Geneva agreement. He pointed out although the interim nuclear deal was valid only for six months, the accord could ultimately pave the way for a comprehensive agreement. What has been agreed in Geneva is only a first step in search for a comprehensive solution, said Schockenhoff. He urged all sides in the nuclear row to take advantage of this window of opportunity to address the outstanding issues. Schockenhoff said this window of opportunity should also be used to lower regional tensions. The conservative legislator pointed out all parties in the nuclear dispute had a great interest in a final deal. Schockenhoff reiterated the six world pwers were serious in their offer to Iran. Asked about a likely change in Germanys Iran policy, he linked this to reaching a final nuclear accord. The close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel ally did emphasize however that his country was very much interested in normalized Berlin-Tehran ties. Meanwhile, Schockenhoff stressed Irans legitimate security interests in the region had also to be taken into account in the political talks with the western powers. On Syria, Schockenhoff admitted differences did exist on the issue between the West and Iran. He reaffirmed the need for a negotiated settlement of the conflict, saying any solution had to come from within Syria and should not be influenced by foreign powers./end