High potential for Iran, Germany cooperation, says minister

Chitchian during a joint meeting on Monday with German Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Energy Sigmar Gabriel, urged private sectors in both countries to help develop ties between Iran and Germany.

He said that Iranian and German companies have a long history of cooperation in a wide range of areas and hopefully these meetings may deepen cooperation between the two countries in different fields including water and power industries.

Chitchian said that banking relations between the two countries have not yet fully restored and it is expected the German government remove obstacles to furthering banking ties as soon as possible.

In case such problems remain to persist, Iran may not be able to continue its effective cooperation with Germany, the Iranian minister said.

Chitchian added that the two countries may have wide range of cooperation in the fields of manufacturing electricity distribution posts, construction of garbage incinerator power plants, building sewage refineries, taking satellite images from water resources and installing smart systems for water transfer network.

Sigmar Gabriel said that following implementation of the nuclear deal between Iran and G5+1, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action, new opportunities for development of cooperation between Tehran and Berlin have been created.

Gabriel said that presence of 120 trade representatives in the delegation accompanying him in this trip, tends to show Germany's interest in establishment of deep and joint cooperation with Iran.

Gabriel stressed that some German banks have expressed interests to invest in Iran.

Since summer of 2015, around 20 trade delegation visited Iran from Germany and around 10 other delegations are to visit Iran in next three months.

Germany is the fifth large exporter of goods to Iran after China with 3.863 billion dollars, the United Arab Emirates by 2.862, South Korea by 1.263 and Turkey by 1.077 billion dollars.

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