Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will embark on a tour of France and the Netherlands today to discuss ways to develop relations and review Middle East developments.
In Paris he will confer with his French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault. On Wednesday, Zarif will meet President Francois Holland to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and concern, namely issues related to the chaotic Middle East.
During his stay, the foreign minister will also meet the President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher and Parliament Speaker Claude Bartolon.
This is Zarif's fourth trip to Europe after the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the formal name of the July 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the six major powers (the US, Britain, France, China and Russia, plus Germany) in January. The deal removed punitive economic restrictions imposed by the European Union, the UN Security Council and the US on Tehran over its nuclear program, which had limited its access to the global financial system.
The accord encouraged Iran's old economic partners, especially those in Europe, to seek ways to restore business ties with Tehran.
In mid-February, Zarif paid a two-day visit to Belgium. In late May and early June, he embarked on a four-country tour of Poland, Finland, Sweden and Latvia. Last week the minister and his senior aides were in Norway and Germany.
Later on Wednesday, Zarif will head to the Netherlands.
