The ambassador to Paris said the nuclear deal reached between Iran and world powers in Vienna last month has set the stage for Iran and France to take "positive steps" to boost bilateral ties.
Ali Ahani made the statement in an interview with Radio France Info in reference to the recent visit of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to Tehran, Fars News Agency reported on Saturday.
Noting that the Iranian and French people have had a positive attitude toward each other, he called on the governments of both sides to make efforts to meet the needs of the two peoples to improve bilateral relations, which have been for years affected by the nuclear dispute.
"Historical relations between Iran and France deserve a high-level discourse," Ahani noted, adding expansion of mutual relations is of high significance for both sides.
Asked on the status of French companies in Iran after the lifting of sanctions, he said they will be welcomed in the Iranian market, especially the ones with positive background. The envoy called on the related ministries and government bodies of the European country to help facilitate the presence of French companies in Iran.
On the situation in the region, Ahani said Iran is ready to cooperate and consult with France with a view to finding solutions for regional crises, especially in Syria, where he said Iran holds clear stances that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed with Fabius in his Tehran visit.
The ambassador said France can be a major diplomatic partner for the Islamic Republic and Iran can be a stable and powerful partner for France, adding that the two countries can cooperate to help solve regional conflicts.
The French foreign minister visited Tehran last Wednesday for talks with high-ranking officials, including President Hassan Rouhani. On the same day, a French parliamentary delegation headed by President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly Elisabeth Guigou met with senior Iranian lawmakers led by Chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi to explore ways of developing wide-ranging relations.
