Iran, France Need to Make Up for Past, President Rouhani Urges
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for the enhancement of relations with France as part of efforts to make up for the losses caused by the anti-Iran sanctions, which were lifted after implementation of a lasting nuclear deal between Iran and world powers on January 16.
“During the years of cruel and unjust sanctions (against Iran), the Iranian and French nations suffered losses, and today, we should try to make up for the past losses by establishing broad and close relations,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with French Senate President Gerard Larcher in Paris on Wednesday.
The president also voiced the Iranian administration’s support for the expansion of parliamentary cooperation between Tehran and Paris.
He further stressed the need for joint efforts in the fight against terrorism, noting that it is a “big, historic responsibility” to combat terrorism, which is a common threat to humanity.
For his part, Larcher predicted a “bright prospect” for Iran-France relations, saying Paris is determined to bolster ties with Tehran in all fields in light of the termination of anti-Iran sanctions.
The French senator also hailed Iran’s “constructive role” in settlement of the regional conflicts and the fight on terrorism.
The Iranian president and his 120-member delegation of business leaders and cabinet ministers arrived in Paris on Wednesday evening.
After Italy, France is the second leg of President Rouhani’s first foreign trip following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a lasting nuclear deal finalized in July 2015 between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).