Merkel wants U.S., Iran talks but can't see sanctions lifted first

Record ID: 1432581

  • Title: Merkel wants U.S., Iran talks but can't see sanctions lifted first
  • Date: 24th September 2019
  • Summary: UNITED NATIONS (SEPTEMBER 24, 2019) (REUTERS) MERKEL ARRIVING TO GIVE STATEMENT (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "We are still not yet at the point for real discussions because each side has such complicated conditions for the discussions to take place that the talks end up not taking place. I would welcome it if it came to talks between the United States and Iran but it won't work that all sanctions are first taken off the table and then there are talks. I think that is not realistic." (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "It is the job of the UK to present options to the European Union and they have not done this yet but I also wasn't expecting them to just yet. As to what the court's decision will mean, this is in my opinion a domestic debate for Britain to have. I continue to hope that we achieve a deal - as it is being called - or a treaty for the orderly exit of Britain from the EU and do add that we are prepared for the other option but would prefer an orderly Brexit treaty." (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "I met her (Greta Thunberg), but I would like to use the opportunity to say that I do disagree with her on at least one matter. She gave a stirring speech yesterday in which, in my opinion, it was not made clear enough in what ways technology and innovation - especially in the area of energy - but also in the area of making energy savings, are opening up possibilities of reaching our goals. We want to make use of these opportunities and I put very large store by innovation and technology and that is a contradiction to what I heard yesterday."
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2019 19:09
  • Keywords: Angela Merkel UN Greta Thunberg Iran nuclear Treaty Donald Trump Brexit
  • Location: UNITED NATIONS
  • City: UNITED NATIONS
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Government/Politics,United Nations
  • Reuters ID: LVA002AY0MYIV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS WHITE FLASHES
    German Chancellor Angela Merkel would welcome talks between the United States and Iran, but after speaking to the presidents of both countries on Tuesday, said it was unrealistic to expect Washington to lift sanctions on the Islamic Republic first.
    "I would welcome it if it came to talks between the United States and Iran but it won't work that all sanctions are first taken off the table and then there are talks. I think that is not realistic," Merkel said on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
    Earlier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had said he was open to discuss small changes, additions or amendments to a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers if the United States lifted sanctions.
    Merkel refused to be drawn on political developments in Britain, saying the court decision to rule the suspension of parliament by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as unlawful was a domestic issue to be resolved.
    The German chancellor also refuted certain elements of a climate speech given by climate activist Greta Thunberg.
    (Production: Katherine Koppel, Tanya Wood)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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