‘New chapter’ as France and Iran reach trade agreements
Years of mutual mistrust could not be erased in an instant by the stroke of a pen
French president François Hollande welcomes Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani as he arrives at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Photograph: Charles Platiau/Reuters
France and Iran “opened a new chapter in our relations” during President Hassan Rouhani’s two-day visit to the French capital, President François Hollande said at their closing press conference. “I want this relationship to be useful to our two countries, to the region, to the world.”
Some 30 agreements were signed yesterday between governments and between companies, Mr Hollande said. The French export bank Coface agreed to guarantee French investments in Iran.