BERLIN (Sputnik) — Ilse Aigner added that wearing clothes that cover the face contradicts the European observance of the equality of women and men, and a law banning such items of clothing should be adopted by the parliament.

“When I traveled to Iran, I respected the traditions of the country and wore a headscarf. Likewise I expect from women from the Arab world that they will give up fully covering their faces in this country. These laws will apply not only to the German citizens,” Ilse Aigner said in an interview to the German Welt newspaper.

A ban on face covering in public places is in place in some European countries, including the Netherlands and France.