Thursday 12 / December / 2024
Dubai/Paris: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on his arrival in Paris on Wednesday that a new chapter had began in Tehran's relations with the European Union, after the lifting of sanctions on Iran.
"A new chapter has began in Tehran relations with the EU, including France," Rouhani was quoted as saying by Iran's ISNA news agency.
Rouhani arrived in France on Wednesday with the bosses of oil major Total and aircraft maker Airbus among top executives he was due to meet as the two countries look to revive business ties.
On his first trip abroad since a sanctions-ending nuclear accord took effect, Italy this week already rolled out the red carpet for the Iranian president and his 120-member delegation of business leaders and cabinet ministers, signing a raft of deals.
Nevertheless, since July, French economic and political delegations have travelled to Tehran to explore opportunities. Officials have said certain "commitments" could now be agreed, although how definitive they are is unclear.
Rouhani begins his trip to Paris by meeting some 20 company executives. He is due to deliver a speech to business leaders on Thursday at a Franco-Iranian forum, where Iranian ministers will outline their plans.
Face-to-face talks are scheduled with the Total and Airbus bosses, diplomatic sources said. Several agreements are due to be announced after a meeting with President Francois Hollande.
Iranian officials have said they are poised to agree on a deal for Airbus aircraft. Carmakers Peugeot and Renault may also agree contracts.
Airport design and construction talks may be on the agenda too, potentially involving builders Bouygues and Vinci and airports operator ADP.
Although many sanctions relating to Iran's nuclear programme have been lifted, most US measures remain in place. Companies are worried about the sanctions snapping back if Iran violated the terms of the agreement and are including this scenario in their risk analysis.
"Investing in Iran is not exactly like investing in Holland or Denmark," a French diplomatic source said. "Everyone wants to be certain that there's no Damocles Sword hanging over them before investing."
Earlier in the day in Rome, Rouhani said that the United States cannot solve any problems in the Middle East without Iran's help and should drop its "hostile" stance towards Tehran.
"It's possible that Iran and the United States might have friendly relations. But the key to that is in Washington's hands, not Tehran's," Rouhani told a news conference, saying he would be happy to see US businessmen in Iran.
"I would like to see the Americans set aside their hostility and chose another way, but inside the US there are some problems, there is no unified voice," he said.
He also rejected accusations that Iran was funding terror organisations. "It is clear that Iran is a country opposed to terrorism and a country that fights terrorism," he said.
"The Americans know very well that when it comes to important regional issues they cannot achieve anything without Iran's influence or say," Rouhani said, speaking through a translator.
