German Official Hails New Chapter in Tehran-Berlin Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A German commercial official said the European country's companies are willing to make investments in the Iranian economy, gas and oil industry in particular, stressing that relations with Iran are of a great significance to German economy.
President of Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) Eric Schweitzer, who is visiting Iran as part of a high-ranking economic-political delegation, expressed his pleasure with the imminent return of German companies to Iran's market following a nuclear conclusion reached between Tehran and world powers last week.
He made the remarks in a meeting of Iranian and German Chambers of Commerce held on Monday morning in Tehran.
Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel also attended the meeting, during which representatives from over 60 Iranian and German companies explored avenues for boosting Tehran-Berlin economic cooperation.
"Iran is one of the major non-European economic partners of Germany, but mutual cooperation between the two countries was reduced because of restrictions imposed after (anti-Iran) sanctions came into effect," Schweitzer said in the meeting, reiterating the significance of the new chapter in cooperation with Iran for Germany's economy.
The DIHK president further referred to Iran's massive gas and oil reserves, saying that the two countries will try to tap into the capacities for cooperation between Iranian and German firms.
"All German companies can find their way for cooperation with Iranians through Iran-Germany Chamber of Commerce," he added.
Schweitzer also announced that the Hamburg-based Iran-Germany Commercial Bank can restart its operation once anti-Iran financial sanctions are removed.
The DIHK is the central organization for 80 Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany. All German companies registered in Germany, with the exception of handicraft businesses, the free professions and farms, are required by law to join a chamber.
Thus, the DIHK speaks for more than three million entrepreneurs. They include not only big companies but also retailers and innkeepers. This gives the association considerable political influence. It does not represent any specific corporate group but all commercial enterprises in Germany.
