Rouhani hails `new chapter` in Iranian-French ties

  29 January 2016    Read: 1081
Rouhani hails `new chapter` in Iranian-French ties
Iran`s President Hassan Rouhani has hailed "a new chapter" in French-Iranian relations during his visit to Paris to discuss trade ties.
Mr Rouhani agreed a number of major deals, including a €22bn ($24bn; £17bn) contract to buy 118 Airbus planes.

Earlier, French carmaker Peugeot said it had agreed a joint venture in Iran worth €400m.
Mr Rouhani`s Europe tour comes after the lifting of international sanctions over Iran`s nuclear programme.

Mr Rouhani`s five-day visit to Italy and France is the first by an Iranian president in nearly two decades.

Iranian diplomats had reportedly requested that no wine be served at Mr Rouhani`s lunch meeting with French President Francois Hollande, leading French officials to postpone the meeting until after lunch.

`Seduced by Iran`

The Iranian president was received at a welcome ceremony on Thursday at the Invalides monument in Paris.

Mr Rouhani said: "The time is ripe for both countries to enhance their relations.

"Diplomacy at the negotiating table can be quite effective - it can through logic and prudence... resolve problems," he said.

More about:


News Line