France Keen for All-Out Ties with Iran: French PM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – French Prime Minister Manuel Valls hailed the nuclear deal Iran finalized with world powers in 2015 as one that will help open a new chapter in Tehran-Paris ties, stressing his country’s willingness to expand cooperation with the Islamic Republic in all areas.
Speaking at a gathering in Paris of main companies from the two countries, attended by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the French premier said that France suffered from the anti-Iran sanctions and that the nuclear deal, whose implementation terminated the embargos, opens a new chapter for bilateral ties.
“France seeks all-out cooperation with Iran,” he added.
Valls further referred to a number of business deals reached between the two countries’ private sectors in the meeting as a good beginning for expansion of bilateral political cooperation based on joint economic interests.
He also said Tehran and Paris should forget about the past, adding that “France is available for Iran,” and that “Iran can count on France.”
“France is ready to use its companies, its engineers, its technicians and its many resources to help to modernize your country,” he stated.
Elsewhere during Thursday meeting, Pierre Gattaz, the head of France’s Medef employers association, underlined the need for the development of cooperation between Iranian and French private sectors.
“Iran’s needs are enormous,” he said, adding, “The country is not starting from scratch, it’s got a very educated workforce, a real development potential.”
Gattaz also noted that Air France is scheduled to resume its direct flights to Tehran in coming weeks, saying it signifies the beginning of practical measures for enhancement of ties between the two countries.
Air France said last month it would resume flights to Tehran for the first time in more than seven years starting in April.
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 January 16 implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the lasting nuclear deal finalized in July 2015 between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
