German opposition hails Iranian uranium swap deal

Berlin, May 18, IRNA -- Two major German opposition parties on Monday hailed the agreement which will enable Iran to swap its uranium in Turkey for enrichment.

The Green Party and the Left Party (Die Linke) welcomed the mediation success of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in securing a deal with Iran on Sunday.

The accord calls for Iran to ship 1,200 kilograms of low enriched uranium to Turkey for storage.

In exchange, Iran would receive about 120 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent for a medical reactor in Tehran.

The deputy chairman of The Left faction, Jan van Aken said in a press statement Iran's readiness for such an agreement was a "huge chance to overcome the stalemate in the dispute over the Iranian nuclear program."

"Tehran has made an important step towards the West," he added.
Van Aken urged Germany and its partners to also take a step towards Iran and show flexibility.

He lambasted Germany's "aimless Iran strategy" which was solely based on threatening Tehran with sanctions./end