Macron Harbinger of Hope for Tehran-Paris Ties

A lawmaker called the election of the centrist Emmanuel Macron as new French president "a hopeful event", which could have a positive impact on Tehran-Paris relations. "Development of mutual ties with France is a positive sign and, indeed, bears great significance for both countries as it brings huge benefits to both sides," Spokesman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Hossein Naqavi Hosseini also told ICANA on Monday.

Macron, the former minister of economy, industry and digital affairs, was elected French president on Sunday with a business-friendly vision of European integration and wider global community, defeating Marine Le Pen, a far-right nationalist who threatened to take France out of the European Union. Following the enforcement of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, Iranian and French firms signed a raft of major business deals with the support of their governments.

Macron was one of the ministers that oversaw the conclusion of the agreements. The nuclear accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, led to sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran scaling down its nuclear activities. The business deals included the purchase of 100 aircraft from Airbus and 20 airplanes from ATR, which is jointly owned by France-based Airbus and Leonardo of Italy. France's auto giant PSA Group also signed an agreement to invest in Iran's auto industry.

The commission spokesman said Macron's involvement in Iran-France economic contracts shows the new French president's awareness of the Islamic Republic's global position, which heralds the beginning of a new era of flourishing economic interactions.

"France's automotive and aviation industries are in dire need of accessing Iranian firms and markets, and we can make use of this to improve mutual politico-economic relations to benefit our own country," he said. Hosseini reiterated that Macron, having a positive attitude toward the European Union and foreign investment, is potentially more capable than his predecessor Francois Hollande to cultivate closer relations with Iran.