Merkel’s vice-chancellor in a phone conversation with Iran’s Economy Minister Ali Tayebnia on Sunday, said he had fallen ill and therefore canceled a trip to Iran where he was expected to co-chair Iran-Germany Joint Economic Commission’s meeting.
The meeting was scheduled for May 2-4, the first time in 15 years. The two country’s last joint economic meeting was held in 2001.
Meanwhile, German Deputy Economy Minister Uwe Beckmeyer has already flown to Iran, in the absence of Gabriel. Beckmeyer is expected to open an investment forum in Tehran on Tuesday.
According to German media, Gabriel has vowed to make the visit in the shortest time possible, probably in June. A meeting with President Hassan Rouhani had also been on agenda.
About 150 delegates from German companies are accompaning the deputy minister on his trip, hoping to sign a number of important contracts. Since the lifting of sanctions against Iran, Germany hopes for billions worth of transactions with the Islamic republic. Siemens, Volkswagen, and BASF SE expect the economic commission's event to give way to the ‘Gold Rush Operation’.
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