Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 3
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
Iran's president Hassan Rouhani has underlined that Tehran and Berlin should plan for long-term cooperation.
Rouhani made the remarks during a meeting with visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Tehran on Feb. 3, ISNA news agency reported.
The two parties also underlined necessity of a common fight against terrorism and extremism in the Middle East region.
Rouhani further hailed Germany's "positive and constructive" role during the nuclear talks with the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany), saying the two countries should enjoy the post-sanction period opportunity to boost the cooperation.
Top German diplomat, for his turn, expressed Berlin's readiness for expanding ties with Tehran in various areas including political, economic, cultural and academic.
Speaking after meeting with Rouhani, Steinmeier said he had told the Iranian president he was welcome to visit Germany the next time he comes to Europe.
Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Steinmeier arrived in Tehran Feb. 2 for two-day visit.
The top German diplomat also met with Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, as well as his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.
Mutual ties, economic cooperation, as well as latest regional developments, including Syria crisis and the recent tension between Tehran and Riyadh were discussed during the visits.
Steinmeier will depart Tehran for Riyadh after holding talks with Iranian senior officials.