Iran, Germany FMs discuss N-program

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle have discussed Tehran™s nuclear energy program and explored avenues for further expansion of bilateral ties in New York.

The two senior officials met Tuesday on the sidelines of the 68th annual session of the UN General Assembly, and exchanged views on Iran™s civilian nuclear activities as well as future talks on Iran™s nuclear energy program.

Zarif and Westerwelle also discussed Tehran-Berlin relations, common areas of interest as well as Iran™s ties with the European Union (EU).

The Iranian foreign minister is also to join his counterparts from Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States in a meeting, expected to be held on Thursday, to discuss the Islamic Republic™s nuclear energy program.

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

Iran rejects the allegation, arguing that as a committed signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence showing that the Iranian nuclear program has been diverted toward military objectives.

MP/KA