Deputy FM in Paris for Political Consultations

Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi traveled to the French capital on Thursday to hold the second round of regular political consultations with French officials.

Iranian and French diplomats held the first round of regular talks in Tehran in May, based on a bilateral agreement signed during President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Paris back in January.

Takht-Ravanchi said on Thursday that he will sit down for talks with Secretary-General of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Christian Masset who also represented France in Tehran talks in May.

In an interview with IRIB News Agency in Paris, the deputy minister said Iran and France have vastly developed economic cooperation in recent months, especially after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the formal name of the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

"There are various grounds for economic collaboration between Iran and France, including joint investment and transfer of technology, which need to be reviewed regularly," he said.

Takht-Ravanchi said his Paris visit is also aimed at making preparations for a foreign ministerial meeting of the Iran-France Economic Commission in Tehran.

Regional conflicts, including those in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan, will be discussed in his talks in France.

"The other part of our discussions will revolve around Middle East issues, [and the spread of] terrorism and extremism. Both sides are willing to work toward a joint solution [to them]."

*** JCPOA Commitments

Takht-Ravanchi said the nuclear deal and issues related to its implementation that started in January will be discussed in the meetings.

In recent months, Tehran has repeatedly complained that the other side, particularly the US, has not let it reap the full economic benefits expected under the accord.

Donald Trump's triumph in the recent US presidential election on a pledge to change US stance on the JCPOA has raised concerns about the future of the historic pact.

President-elect Trump had previously called the deal the "stupidest of all time", and last week, one of his foreign policy advisers said the incoming president is going to demand modifications to the deal.

After Trump's victory, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran expects the new US administration to respect the international agreement.

EU officials have also expressed concern over Trump's attitude toward the deal.

Federica Mogherini, the top EU diplomat, said last Sunday the deal cannot be altered by one government, as it is a multilateral agreement enshrined in UNSC resolutions.

"I have personally a specific role to guarantee that this [the nuclear deal] is done by all sides, and for sure this is in European interest," she said, while speaking at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

The European Council released a statement on Iran on Monday, in which it reiterated its resolute commitment toward the JCPOA and support for the development of bilateral ties.

"The European Union is committed to support the full and effective implementation of JCPOA, including by the lifting of nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions and engaging with the private sector and economic operators, especially banks, to promote growth in trade and investment," the statement said.

Takht-Ravanchi was in the EU capital Brussels last week, where he led Iran's delegation in the "high-level" Iran-EU talks aimed at establishing a comprehensive bilateral cooperation.