Iran’s FM Hails Election of Steinmeier as German President
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated his former German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his new post as president of the West European country, hailing him as a major politician favoring peace and dialogue.
In a message to Mr. Steinmeier on Sunday, the top Iranian diplomat pointed to the history of close cooperation and consultations with the German politician during his post at the Foreign Ministry, and expressed the hope that his presidency would constructively serve the German nation.
Zarif also hoped that Tehran-Berlin strong ties would continue to thrive in future.
Steinmeier was elected Germany's president on Sunday, the 12th person to hold the largely ceremonial post in the post-war era.
Steinmeier, a Social Democrat who had served as foreign minister until last month, won 931 of the 1,239 valid votes by lawmakers and representatives of Germany's 16 federal states. There 103 abstentions and 14 votes were invalid.
Steinmeier, a 61-year old Social Democrat, was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump during the US election calling him a “preacher of hate”.
