Sanctions against Iran hurting mainly German workers: Boroujerdi

Berlin, Mar 5, IRNA -

Sanctions imposed against Iran are mainly hurting German workers
whose jobs depend on trade with Iran, said the head of the Foreign
Policy and National Security Committee of Majlis Alaeddin Boroujerdi
on Wednesday.

Talking to IRNA in Berlin, the top Iranian legislator stressed
sanctions against Tehran were also taking away job opportunities from
German workers.
Boroujerdi's remarks coincided with the latest release of data which
showed that orders for Germany's key machinery and mechanical
engineering industry dove 42 percent in January.
Germany's Machinery and Mechanical Engineering Association (VDMA)
announced the plunge came after a 31-percent slump in domestic orders
and a 47 percent fall in foreign orders.
Iran has been an important destination for German machinery and
mechanical engineering products over the past years.
The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) has repeatedly
pointed out that sanctions against Iran could cost more than 10,000
German jobs and have a negative impact on the economic growth of
Germany.
More than 40,000 German jobs are indirectly affected by German-Iranian
trade, a senior German official, requesting anonymity told IRNA.
Meanwhile, Boroujerdi added ties between Berlin and Tehran have been
influenced by pressure from the Zionist lobby and the US, especially
during the era of former American president George W. Bush.
The MP referred to Germany's general readiness to expand relations
with Iran, saying it was important that Berlin had to adopt a more
independent stance in initiating a policy towards Tehran.
He emphasized that German-Iranian ties were "among the best within the
European Union."
Broujerdi is heading a parliamentary delegation, comprised of Fatemeh
Alia, Seyyed Ali Aghazadeh and Ahmad Avaie, for political meetings in
Germany.
Talks with German officials will focus on regional and bilateral issues.
Boroujerdi was expected to meet with his German counterpart Ruprecht
Polenz later in the day.
On Thursday, the Iranian legislators are to hold talks with German
Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.
On Friday, the Iranian legislative group is to meet with several other
German lawmakers, including the head of the German-Iranian
Parliamentary Friendship Group Rolf Muetzenich.
Boroujerdi will also meet with the influential director of the German
Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) Volker Perthes
during his four-day stay in Germany.

End