Germany: Iran talks at G7 is a ‘big step forward’

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday praised Iran talks at the G7 summit of world’s leading powers and expressed her hope for a diplomatic solution to recent tensions between Washington and Tehran.

“A firm willingness to talk is already a big step forward,” Merkel told a news conference on the final day of the summit held in the French seaside town of Biarritz.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Sunday made an unexpected visit to the G7 summit, where he had talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Merkel underlined that the talks were made in coordination with the U.S. and were welcomed by all the participants of the summit.

The German chancellor also said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s remarks on Monday, where he expressed his willingness to talk, was another important signal.

“It is a fragile, long and difficult process, and any kind of statement could undermine this. We all have a huge interest in finding a peaceful solution to such a conflict, but it won’t be easy,” she said.