Gabriel in Iran: German economy hopes for billion – SPIEGEL ONLINE

It is the first high-ranking Western politician who traveled to the historic nuclear deal Iran: Federal Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) has arrived on Sunday in Tehran. Accompanied by a business delegation, he will explore the possibilities for a rapid expansion of economic and political relations in talks with President Hassan Rohani and government members.

had the West and Tehran after 13 years of talks on Tuesday an agreement on civilian use of nuclear power in Iran agreed. Thus, the basis was laid for a normalization of economic relations, Gabriel said on arrival. Prerequisite is, however, that Iran provided the steps also converting.

The German economy once closely associated with Iran hopes for the gradual phasing out of the economic sanctions against the country to new multi-billion dollar transactions. The trade volume between the two countries could rise to six billion euros within the next two years – and thus more than doubled, believes the president of the German Chamber of Commerce (DIHK), Eric Schweitzer

Over the medium. view were as many as ten billion euros possible, Schweitzer said, is the current member of the delegation. “We have a good starting position, then we ourselves must do something with it.”

mediator between Iran and Israel?

Even politically wants Gabriel to make progress. To kick off his three-day visit, he defended the destruction of Israel, which is doubted by Tehran. “For Germany, it must be clear: Whoever has sustainable relationships with us, who can not the destruction of Israel politically questioning,” he said shortly after arriving

The Vice Chancellor also has a German mediator to defuse the. Relations between Iran and Israel offered. He wanted to talk about human rights, opening the society, freedom of expression and democratization, Gabriel said. “The move to the nuclear deal is a big step.” However, it would have more to come.

Israel feels threatened massively from Iran and refuses the nuclear deal with Tehran. Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei had also stressed in his first speech after the nuclear deal that his country did not want to change the rate against the “arch-enemy” Israel.

Also in relation to the United States no relief is characterized despite the nuclear agreement to. Rather, Khamenei announced a continuation of the confrontational stance. In his speech, he rumbled again against the supposedly arrogant government in Washington and defended “Death to America” ​​- and “Death to Israel” calls by protesters.

The US and Iran pursued completely opposite political interests in the region, as Khamenei. Iran will support for its friends in the region, such as the Palestinians and the people of Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Bahrain never stop. “We have repeatedly said, we do not negotiate with the US on regional or international affairs, not even on bilateral issues.”

There were some exceptions, such as the nuclear program. Since you have negotiated with the Americans, “because it serves our interests.”