German vice-chancellor due in Tehran

Expressing satisfaction with the amicable relations between the two countries, particularly in post-sanctions era, Michael Freiherr von Ungern-Sternberg told IRNA that German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier's recent visit to Iran indicated the importance he attached to Iran and the Middle East.

Referring to ten German delegations' Iran visits in post-JCPOA era, he said that the upcoming delegation's visit to Tehran will focus on trade ties.

Sternberg also said that diplomacy played a major role in recent exchange of visits between Iranian and German officials.

The current volume of trade between Iran and Germany stands at about €2.5 billion and officials from both sides have already expressed hope that this would rise to as high as €10 billion before 2020.

Several German trade delegations have so far visited Iran to explore the avenues for investing in the Islamic Republic.

The biggest delegation arrived in Tehran in July comprising 60 businesspeople. The delegation was the first foreign delegation visiting Iran after the country signed a nuclear deal with the P5+1 and was headed by the German vice-chancellor.