German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has welcomed the endorsement of Mohammad Javad Zarif as Irans new foreign minister, hoping to meet with him on the sidelines of the forthcoming gathering of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.In a telephone conversation on Friday, the German minister offered his congratulations to Zarif on his success to win the vote of confidence from the Iranian parliament, a German Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
Berlin hopes that constructive and substantial talks will be held for resolving Irans nuclear issue following the formation of the new Iranian administration, the spokesperson said.
On Thursday evening, the Iranian parliament (Majlis) concluded a vote of confidence on President Hassan Rouhanis cabinet picks after four days of debates about the qualification of the ministerial nominees and approved 15 ministers.
President Rouhanis choice of foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, was approved by the Majlis with 232 votes in favor, out of 284 votes cast.
Germany is a member of the P5+1 group of world powers, which also includes Britain, China, France, Russia and the US. The group and Iran have held several rounds of talks on a range of issues, with the main focus being on Tehrans nuclear energy program.
The US, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of potentially pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.
Tehran has categorically rejected the accusation, arguing that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
By Press TV
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