Iran nuclear negotiations must continue: Merkel

Expatica:

Germany views with "particular concern" developments in Iraq and Iran, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday in her first major policy address to the German parliament in Berlin.

Referring to talks between Germany, Britain and France on one hand and Iran on the other over Iran's nuclear programme, Merkel warned Iran not to back away from cooperation with the U.N. nuclear supervisory body, the International Atomic Energy Agency. READ MORE

"Despite recent setbacks, the German government will continue to engage in the three-plus-one process. This process must carry on," Merkel told the Bundestag.

Referring to a remark by recently elected Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad in October that Israel should be "wiped off the map", Merkel said this was "absolutely unacceptable in every respect".

"Germany has a very special responsibility with regard to Israel... On behalf of the new government, I would like to use this opportunity to stress Israel's right to exist and the right of its citizens to live free from terror, fear and violence.

"In the same way, we reaffirm the right of the Palestinian people to their own state, which exists alongside Israel in security and within acknowledged borders," Merkel said.