FM: President Rouhani's Paris visit shows power of diplomacy
By Aynur Karimova
"Hassan Rouhani's France visit illustrated power of diplomacy. New era of mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, politics and culture"... This is how Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif assessed President Rouhani's visit to Paris.
Rouhani's five-day tour to Italy, Vatican and France was indeed of significant importance both for Europe and Tehran in terms of reviving bilateral economic and political relations and multilateral trade ties among businessmen.
The Iranian president led a 120-member delegation including ministers and businessmen. The visit came just a week after the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that put an end to economic sanctions against Tehran.
Before the Paris visit, Rouhani said that Iran is ready to welcome foreign investors adding there are no more obstacles to investment in Iran.
"We are here to welcome all investors and economic managers to cooperate with Iran,” Rouhani told the French businessmen. "Iran is ready for vast economic cooperation as it enjoys great capacities and has many needs to be fulfilled."
He explained that socio-political security, rich energy resources, educated workforce, and good relations with regional countries make Iran an interesting place for investment.
“Within the framework of the current policies of the Iranian government, France is again to become active in Iran, with new energy and strengthened will. We are now ready to open new chapter in ties between the two countries,” he emphasized.
French President Francois Hollande officially welcomed his Iranian counterpart at Elysee Palace in Paris on January 28. On the sidelines of a fruitful meeting of the two presidents, Iran and France signed memorandums of understanding.
Iranian FM Zarif and his French counterpart Laurent Fabius signed the first MoU which is a roadmap for strengthening ties between Tehran and Paris, Iranian media reported.
Other documents signed by the delegation led by President Rouhani and the French side were on cooperation in a range of sectors, including healthcare, environment, industry, and agriculture.
One of the most important documents was a deal with Airbus for the purchase of 118 aircraft from the European manufacturer.
The deal was signed by Iran's Roads and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhoundi and his French counterpart, Iranian state-run IRINN TV channel reported from the event venue.
Under the terms of the contract, Airbus will be committed to deliver the aircrafts, acquired by Iran under the lease, within four years.
The planes will be brand new in different types, including the wide-body Airbus A380. Iran is committed to pay for the planes within 10 years.
Also, French oil and gas company Total and the National Iranian Oil Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran to purchase crude oil from the Islamic Republic.
Earlier, Press TV quoted Total’s Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne as saying that Total is going to sign a contract to purchase 150,000-200,000 barrels per day of Iranian crude oil.
Before sanctions were imposed in 2012 over Iran, EU was importing about 800,000 barrels of Iranian oil and condensate.
Later, speaking at a joint press conference, Hollande said
France and Iran have turned a new page in bilateral relations.
"For 17 years the Iranian president has not visited France. Today
we opened a new chapter in our relations. I hope our cooperation
will be beneficial for everyone," he noted.
The French president noted that some 30 deals in various spheres
were signed during Rouhani’s visit.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
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