Today (23 December 2006) the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on Iran's nuclear programme. Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin on this issue:

"I welcome today's UN Security Council decision on Iran's nuclear programme. This resolution became necessary following Iran's refusal to comply with the international community's demands.

The fact that the resolution was unanimously adopted after difficult negotiations is at the same time an important signal of the world community's solidarity in this regard.

I strongly urge Iran to comply with the Security Council's resolution in order to clear the way for the start of negotiations.

Together with its partners Germany will continue its intense and persistent efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

The E3+3's comprehensive offer transmitted to Iran on 6 June remains on the table. The E3+3 remain willing to undertake negotiations if Iran suspends its critical nuclear activities. The UN Security Council has made it clear that in this case it will, in turn, suspend its adopted measures against Iran.

I appeal to Iran to seize this opportunity, also because I am convinced that a solution to the Iranian nuclear-programme issue can make it easier to achieve a substantial improvement in relations with Iran in other fields."