According to Agence France-Presse, the French Foreign Minister announced during his visit to Tehran that his government intends to double the issuance of visas for Iranian citizens. Jean-Marc Ayrault, who traveled to Tehran to meet with Iranian officials, stated on January 31 that they want more Iranians intending to travel to France to be able to obtain visas. Mr. Ayrault mentioned at the French embassy in Tehran that 'the project aimed at doubling the number of visas issued so far for Iran is expected to start in the summer of 2017.' According to Agence France-Presse, France's current quota for Iran is 41,000 visas per year. Therefore, the number of visas for Iranian citizens may exceed 80,000 in the next Persian year. Mr. Ayrault's remarks come at a time when the issuance of U.S. visas for Iran—along with six other countries—has been halted due to an executive order from the U.S. President. This ban currently includes dual nationals from Iran—apparently except for countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK. The French Foreign Minister and his German counterpart described Mr. Trump's executive order as 'concerning' in a joint reaction on Saturday. The U.S. President stated that this order is temporary and aims to initiate a new process of background checks for nationals of certain countries and refugees. According to Trump, the goal of this order is to protect the security of the United States and its citizens. Protests have erupted in the U.S. in recent days, both among U.S. politicians and some citizens.
French Foreign Minister: We Plan to Double Visa Issuance for Iranians
The French Foreign Minister announced plans to double the number of visas issued to Iranians, aiming to facilitate travel to France amidst a backdrop of U.S. visa restrictions for Iran. This initiative reflects France's intent to strengthen ties with Iran while the U.S. enforces a travel ban. The situation highlights contrasting approaches to Iranian citizens' mobility.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The French Foreign Minister announced plans to double the number of visas issued to Iranian citizens, aiming to facilitate travel to France. This announcement comes in response to U.S. visa restrictions that have been imposed on Iran.
- France currently issues 41,000 visas to Iranians annually, which could increase to over 80,000.
- The announcement was made during Ayrault's visit to Tehran amid U.S. visa bans affecting Iranian nationals.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. has implemented strict travel bans affecting several countries, including Iran, which has led to increased scrutiny and restrictions on Iranian nationals. In contrast, European nations like France are seeking to strengthen ties with Iran.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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