French FM's Visit a Stepping Stone in Ties

The French foreign minister's scheduled visit to Iran will create a proper platform for further consultations and cooperation between the two countries on bilateral, regional and international issues, says Abolqasem Delfi, Tehran's ambassador in Paris. Jean-Yves Le Drian is due to meet with high-ranking Iranian officials in the capital on Monday, according to the Foreign Ministry. 
In an interview with IRNA published on Sunday, the ambassador said the minister's visit would include talks with President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.  
"The relationship between Iran and France as two powers in their respective regions is based on an old, historical bond and mutual interests and is at a good level," Delfi noted, adding that direct bilateral contacts have increased since the 2015 nuclear agreement.