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Merkel, Sarkozy discuss Iran
12/11/2007 16:02 - (SA)
Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy met on Monday to compare their talks with US President George W Bush on how to deal with the Iranian nuclear standoff.
The leaders of France and Germany made separate visits to the United States last week, with Merkel being treated to a weekend at Bush's ranch in Texas, a privilege he grants to his closest allies.
Bush and Merkel agreed on Saturday to pursue a diplomatic solution over Iran's nuclear programme, but Merkel stuck to her position that Germany wanted ongoing European and UN diplomatic efforts to run their course before deciding on economic sanctions it could impose unilaterally on Iran.
Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana are expected to produce eagerly awaited reports this month on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Merkel said that if those reports failed to show willingness from Iran to halt sensitive nuclear enrichment work, a third round of UN sanctions might be required.
A new chapter
The chancellor said that aside from those sanctions, in the event of a stalemate, "Germany needs to look somewhat closer at the existing business ties with Iran".
Germany is one of Iran's most important trade partners.
Sarkozy vowed last week to support the US stand on Iran in an address to the US Congress that was hailed as proof of a new chapter in Franco-US relations after ties soured under previous president Jacques Chirac over the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Germany plus the five members of the United Nations Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - have engaged in fraught negotiations with Iran for years to convince it to stop enriching uranium, which can be used to generate energy but also to make an atomic bomb.
The United States and several of its European allies believe Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied.
'Integration of immigrants
The overall theme of Monday's talks, the latest in a regular series of discussions involving a host of ministers from France and Germany, is the integration of immigrants.
In one of the light-hearted moments of the day, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner will sing along at the recording of a "rhythm and blues" song with three musicians from Germany's large Turkish community.
Sarkozy's spokesperson said other international themes such as the future status of Kosovo were likely to be discussed during the day.
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