German Chancellor Merkel expressed her support Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’ new approach to transatlantic relationship. She said in a press conference that “it was an important contribution as it expresses in other words what I have said, that the transatlantic relationship is changing, we need to take more responsibility, Europe has to take its fate into its own hands”.
Merkel also expressed that “on the question of independent payment systems, we have some problems in our dealings with Iran, no question, on the other hand we know that on questions of terrorist financing, for example, SWIFT is very important.”
A spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry said that Germany is discussing possibilities with partners, including Britain and France on an independent payment system. And she added that keeping financial channels open was vital to save the Iran nuclear deal.
