The new German government will continue efforts to persuade Iran to cooperate with the United Nations on its nuclear program, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday.

Explaining her government's major policies in her first speech to the Bundestag (lower house of parliament), Merkel warned Iran not to back away from cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Despite recent setbacks, the German government will continue to engage in the three-plus-one process. This process must carry on," Merkel said, referring to talks between Germany, Britain, France and Iran over the nuclear program.

Responding to recent remarks made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Israel should be "wiped off the map," Merkel said this was "absolutely unacceptable in every respect."

"Germany has a very special responsibility with regard to Israel... On behalf of the new government, I would like to use this opportunity to stress Israel's right to exist and the right of its citizens to live free from terror, fear and violence."

But she also reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to their own state which exists alongside Israel in security and within acknowledged borders.

This is the first address Merkel made to the parliament to explain her government's policies since she took office on Nov. 22.

She covered topics such as anti-terror campaign, Germany's role in the European Union and the national economy.

Source: Xinhua