Ex-German Envoy To Iran Hails Rouhaniˈs 'Creativeˈ N-policy

Berlin, Feb 1, IRNA - Germanyˈs former ambassador to Iran Paul Freiherr von Maltzahn praised Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for what he termed his ˈcreative and flexibleˈ policies in trying to settle the nuclear issue. Speaking to IRNA, von Maltzahn pointed out Rouhani had already shown flexibility and creativity in his talks with the three European powers (Britain, France and Germany) when he was head of the Iranian nuclear negotiation team in 2003. The ex-German envoy reiterated that creativity and flexibility are also key to resolving the Iranian nuclear case. Von Maltzahn hailed the Geneva accord, saying it was ˈvery positiveˈ and a further step in ˈde-icingˈ relations between Iran and the West, notably the US. He urged ˈconfidence-building measuresˈ in overcoming the deep mistrust between Iran and the West. The former diplomat emphasized especially that all sides in the Iran nuclear negotiation process should stick to their promises. Asked about Iranˈs potential to become a strategic partner of the West in the long-term, von Maltzahn replied it woud make sense to explore that option. A strategic partnership in the long-term is possible given sufficient common interests between the West and Iran, according to von Maltzahn. He also expressed hope that ties between Berlin and Tehran would improve amid the ongoing progress in the nuclear talks which could ultimately lead to an Iran visit by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Von Maltzahn who heads the renowned Berlin-based German Council on Foreign Relations, will be hosting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday for a speech on his countryˈs new foreign policy./end