Germany welcomed on Tuesday the “new tone” of Iran, as its foreign minister Guido Westerwelle met President Sheikh Hasan Rouhani on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Germany welcomed on Tuesday the “new tone” of Iran, as its foreign minister Guido Westerwelle met President Sheikh Hasan Rouhani on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

"This is a good day for those who bet on a political and diplomatic solution," Westerwelle told journalists, calling Rouhani's speech to the UNGA "encouraging."
"We had a constructive discussion," Westerwelle said, referring to his meeting with Rouhani.

He stressed he agreed with Iran’s new leader that the use of chemical weapons is a "huge crime."

"The Iranians could be serious with a new constructive approach," he said but cautioned that Tehran must take concrete steps to prove its willingness to engage.
"It is critical that new substantial offers are made," Westerwelle added.

Germany's top diplomat also praised US President Barack Obama's speech to the General Assembly, who pushed for a "diplomatic path" with the new Iranian government.

Obama has sent a "strong signal" and offered a "window of opportunity" to end hostilities between Iran and the West, he said.

Westerwelle will participate in high-level talks on Iran's suspect nuclear program on Thursday, joining counterparts from the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Iran.

On Syria, Westerwelle urged world leaders to make renewed efforts for a political process during their annual gathering in New York.
"There cannot be a military solution in Syria. Only a political solution can bring sustainable peace and stability," he said.

Westerwelle is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Saturday in what will likely be his last major appearance as foreign minister.

After four years at the helm of Germany's diplomatic corps, Westerwelle is set to leave office following his party's crushing defeat in Sunday's parliamentary elections.