Iran’s President Begins Landmark Europe Visit after JCPOA
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani left Tehran on Monday for Italy in a tour that will take him later to France, a week after a historic nuclear deal between Iran and world powers came into force and opened the doors of world trade to Iran after years of being hit by sanctions.
“This visit is taking place in a very important juncture and in the post-JCPOA as well as post-sanctions era, thus, it is of great significance,” President Rouhani told reporters on Monday morning, before his departure for Rome.
He reiterated that expansion of relations with the European Union members are among Tehran’s main foreign policies.
The purpose of the trip to Italy and France is to get the most out of the circumstances after implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and improve Iran’s development, progress and job creation, he explained.
According to President Rouhani, two major documents, including “mid-term and long-term roadmaps” on cooperation with France and Italy are going to be discussed and signed during the 4-day trip to Europe.
There will be also agreements on the organizations that arrange insurance for the exports, he noted, adding that talks will be held on the new technologies as well.
President Rouhani further noted that a number of other agreement will be signed on the renovation of Iran’s civil aviation fleet and railroad system.
Among the other topics to be discussed in the Europe visit will be industrial, academic and agricultural cooperation, as well as ties in tourism, environmental issues and providing medical equipment.
In Italy, President Rouhani is going to meet his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and other high-ranking officials.
He is also planned to meet a number of Italian investors and major industrialists during his trip to Rome.
Rouhani will then visit the Vatican City and meet with Pope Francis as well as President of the Holy See Giuseppe Bertello.
The Iranian chief executive will then head for the French capital of Paris on Wednesday, January 27.
There, he will meet with his French counterpart Francois Hollande as well as Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova.
Meetings with French investors, economic managers, and major industrialists are also on Rouhani’s agenda.
A number of Iranian ministers and officials accompany President Rouhani in his trip. They are scheduled to sign several documents with their Italian and French counterparts on mutual cooperation in different fields.
The Iranian president will return to the country on Thursday, January 28.
Rouhani was scheduled to visit the European destinations on November 14, but the trip was cancelled following a spate of deadly terror attacks in Paris.
