German FM signals readiness for talks with Iran

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle signalled his country's readiness for talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Meeting with Berlin-based foreign media representatives in the German capital on Thursday, Westerwelle said he was ready for 'serious and substantial' talks with Tehran. He added the five UN veto powers (Russia, China, the US, France and Britain) plus Germany were preparing a response to the letter by Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili. Germany's chief diplomat refused to speculate on a likely answer on Jalili's letter and a possible date for the resumption of nuclear talks with Iran. He reiterated the letter and its content would be evaluated by the 5 plus 1 group 'very seriously.' Meanwhile, Westerwelle said he wished that imposing economic sanctions against Iran could have been avoided, especially in light of what he termed were 'the great historical bilateral ties between Germany and Iran.'