Germany: "Our hand remains outstretched to Iran"

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Saturday said that any Iranian move to export nuclear fuel for enrichment abroad would be "a good start" and that Berlin's "hand remains outstretched" to Tehran, DPA reported.

Late Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that he envisaged a deal between Western powers and his country on the nuclear issue "in the not very distant future."

Such a move by Iran while welcome, "would not be a substitute, however, for negotiations to ensure the civilian character of the Iranian nuclear program. A nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable for us," Westerwelle added.

On Russian proposals for nuclear disarmament and a new international security structure, Westerwelle said Germany wants to discuss confidence-building measures with Russia. "We want this partnership and we want to develop it further in those areas where we have common interests."

But any possible steps would require commitment and investment, both of which have lacked at times, he said. "When it comes to Europe, many talk about the cost. We should talk more about what it is worth to us."