TEHRAN, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz on Monday discussed regional issues and expressed willingness to promote bilateral relations.
In a phone call, Pezeshkian highlighted the necessity to remove obstacles to improving relations between Iran and European states, adding that Tehran is interested in developing ties with all European countries, including Germany, based on mutual friendship, trust building and respect, according to a statement published on the website of Pezeshkian's office.
Maintaining and improving regional and global peace, stability, and security are among Iran's pivotal policies, he said.
Accusing Israel of continuing its "crimes and genocide" in Gaza, violating international treaties and law, and creating serious challenges for regional security and global peace, Pezeshkian called on European countries, especially Germany, to play an effective role in ending, instead of supporting, Israel's "genocide" in Gaza.
He said that Iran always considers itself duty-bound to comply with international rules and regulations.
While Iran welcomes the promotion of interactions with all countries and stresses the need to resolve problems through negotiations, it will never bow to pressure, sanctions, coercion, and aggression and reserves the right to respond to aggressors according to international law, he added.
Scholz, for his part, congratulated Pezeshkian on his election as Iran's president and said his country is ready to improve bilateral relations in all areas.
Ensuring regional peace and security is among the priorities in Germany's approach towards the region and the world, he said, stressing the need to immediately stop the violence and reach a ceasefire in Gaza. ■
