New German President Congratulated

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated his former German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on his election as president of the West European country, praising him as a prominent politician favoring peace and dialogue. In a message to Steinmeier on Sunday, the top Iranian diplomat pointed to the history of close cooperation and consultations with the German politician during his tenure as foreign minister, hoping that his presidency would constructively serve the German nation, Tasnim News Agency reported. Zarif also hoped that strong ties between Tehran and Berlin would continue to thrive in the future. Steinmeier was elected Germany's president on Sunday, the 12th person to hold the post in the postwar era. Steinmeier, a Social Democrat who had served as foreign minister until last month, won 931 of the 1,239 valid votes by lawmakers and representatives of Germany's 16 federal states.