In a statement made in Washington, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier indicated that he would favor direct talks between the United States and Iran in the ongoing dispute over uranium enrichment activities. At the same time, he appealed to Iran to return to the path of reason.

Steinmeier noted that there are not likely to be direct talks between Washington and Teheran on the Iranian nuclear program for the time being, given that the US administration has not signaled any willingness to move in this direction, but added that Germany and the United Kingdom would welcome it if the United States were to return to the negotiating table.

Steinmeier stressed that Germany is not seeking to mediate in the conflict with Iran, saying: "I think we would be taking on more than we could handle if we were to try to claim a role as mediator in this matter."

Criticism of Iranian missile tests

Steinmeier criticized the timing of Iran's recent missile tests, confirming the view that they were an intentional "provocation" and would not help Iran; on the contrary, they only served to increase the concerns of the international community. He appealed to Iran "to return to the path of reason".

Steinmeier began his two-day visit to Washington with a meeting with US National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley on April 3.

They discussed the efforts being undertaken by the international community in connection with the Iranian nuclear program, the situation in the Middle East after the elections in the Palestinian territories and in Israel, as well as the situation on the international energy markets.

Talks with representatives of the US Senate

Steinmeier then met with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as well as Senate Armed Services Committee chairman John Warner.

The primary focus was on Iran, but they also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, the future of NATO, relations with Russia, as well as the nuclear agreement between India and the United States.

Meeting with Rice

On the second day of his stay in Washington Steinmeier met with his US counterpart, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In this context he brought up the matter of Murat Kurnaz, a German citizen of Turkish descent, whom the United States has held for four years at its Guantánamo detention facility on suspicion of terrorism.

After his meeting with Rice, Steinmeier said they agreed to keep in touch on this matter and that a solution would continue to be sought at the embassy and ministry levels.