Iran's Ambassador: This Year is the Year of Flourishing Relations Between Iran and France

On the eve of the French Foreign Minister's visit to Iran, Iran's ambassador to France described this year as the 'year of flourishing' relations between the two countries, stating that for about a year now, we have been 'witnessing positive signs' from the French government and its foreign minister for the 'opening' of cooperation. Ali Ahani, in an interview with the state news agency IRNA on Tuesday, August 5, also reported that 'recently an important meeting' was held at the French Foreign Ministry to 'encourage' French companies to establish connections with Iran. Regarding France's 'tougher' stance in nuclear negotiations with Iran, he said that the French government's view of the Islamic Republic has undergone a 'positive, albeit slow, transformation' over the past year, and France's role in reaching a nuclear agreement has been 'undeniable.' Mr. Ahani referred to what he described as 'France's considerations' in dealing with Israel and Arab countries, adding: 'France justified its tough stance by stating that a solid agreement must be reached that has enforceable guarantees and does not give other countries in the region an excuse to pursue non-peaceful nuclear technology.' He considered the fight against the group 'Islamic State' (formerly ISIS) as 'one of the common interests' between Iran and France and said that this would be discussed during the French Foreign Minister's visit. Laurent Fabius, the French Foreign Minister, is scheduled to visit Tehran this week to meet and discuss with senior officials of the Islamic Republic. This is the first time in 12 years that a French Foreign Minister has traveled to Tehran. Mr. Fabius has stated that France's tough stance in nuclear negotiations will not negatively impact the expansion of economic relations with Iran in the post-sanctions era. However, in recent days, media and some conservative figures have protested against the French Foreign Minister's visit, with Reza Taghavi, the head of the Council for the Policy-Making of Friday Prayer Leaders, calling Mr. Fabius a 'Zionist.' The Iranian ambassador to France also stated that America's extraterritorial sanctions have 'crippled' French companies. He emphasized that French companies need to make 'extra efforts' to 'repair and compensate' for their absence in the Iranian market, and 'competitive offers and the provision of credit facilities from them could be helpful.' According to estimates from the French Foreign Ministry, France's exports to Iran fell from 1.66 billion euros in 2011 to 494 million euros in 2013. Imports from Iran also dropped from 1.77 billion euros to 62 million euros. Meanwhile, French companies Peugeot and Renault, which were among the largest car exporters to Iran, have cut ties with Iran in recent years due to sanctions. Hashim Yekeh Zareh, CEO of Iran Khodro Industrial Group, announced on Sunday, March 1, 2015, the 'finalization' of a new cooperation agreement between this company and the French car manufacturer Peugeot-Citroën. Comments about the return of French car manufacturers to the Iranian market come as Ali Majedi, Iran's ambassador to Germany, expressed hope that Volkswagen would 'start its operations in Iran by the end of this year' during the visit of a large German business delegation to Iran on Sunday, July 19.