TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A prominent French senator voiced her country’s enthusiasm for mending strained ties with Iran even faster than before imposition of the Western sanctions on Tehran, and said a final nuclear deal would allow France to help Iran’s development more than any other country.

“We see ourselves at this juncture an old partner that have settled our differences and are ready to offer our assistance and help, probably with faster pace for the development of Iran and regional security,” Nathalie Goulet, the vice chairman of the French Senate commission of foreign affairs and defense forces, said in an email interview with the Tasnim News Agency.

Her comments came after Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14 reached a conclusion on a lasting nuclear agreement that would terminate all sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear energy program after coming into force.

The promising prospect of trade with Iran after the conclusion of nuclear talks has prompted major European countries to explore the market potential in the Middle East nation.

Meanwhile, France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is scheduled to pay a landmark visit to Iran this week.

What follows is the full text of Ms. Goulet’s interview with Tasnim:

Tasnim: It seems that “business” talks will be probably on the top of Foreign Minister Fabius's agenda in his forthcoming visit to Iran. What other issues do you think he will discuss with the Iranian officials?

Senator Goulet: Let us not forget that economic sanctions against Iran was started as an executive order by President Bill Clinton in May 1995 to appease IPAC and later developed as Iran Libya Sanction Act in August 1996. Till then, it was a problem between US and Iran and Europe was not involved.

France, like other European countries and Japan, were dragged into it as US lobby and pressure were expanded to bring the case to the UN Security Council that resulted in UN Resolution 1747 of 2007.

Member countries and mostly Europeans enacted to embrace the resolution mostly because of Iran's behavior during 8 years (of) presidency of Mr. Ahmadinejad. Election of President Rouhani created the opportunity for the world to have a fresh look at the whole issue which resulted in Joint Plan of Action of November 2013. The world wanted to do something about Iran but lacked coordination to address and serve the international and regional commitments and interests of individual countries of 5+1.

As negotiations moved forward, these issues were addressed and in some cases were perceived as good guys and bad guys of the negotiation. France, in absence of Iran from the world community, had created regional commitments that had to abide by and satisfy before to move to the next chapter. France needed to start with Iran where they had left off. This had to be cleared with our partners as well as Iran where we had developed cultural and economical ties for so many years and way before all our other partners. We see ourselves at this juncture an old partner that have settled our differences and are ready to offer our assistance and help, probably with faster pace for development of Iran and regional security.

Tasnim: Recently, German chancellor’s deputy demanded Iran to recognize Israel as a precondition for boosting ties with Europe, which was strongly rejected by Iranian officials. Do you think such preconditions could be helpful at all?

Senator Goulet: I doubt that if France wants to promote Israel as any precondition or even a hint of condition to expand our bilateral relationship with Iran.

Tasnim: Mr. Fabius said Iran and France should restart normal relations after the final nuclear deal takes effect. What sort of relations does the French government deem normal?

Senator Goulet: As I mentioned before, we believe that we have resolved and settled our issues with Iran and want to move forward and restart where we had left off, possibly with greater speed.

Tasnim: During more than 22 months of negotiations, France was perceived to have adopted the harshest stances towards Iran’s nuclear program. Will such a perception have Fabius take a softer position hereafter? At least to help boost Tehran-Paris ties.

Senator Goulet: We all know that we had international issues with Iran otherwise we would not be negotiating along the same table. Mr. Fabius was acting on behalf of France to address our position vis-à-vis Iran as well as our other negotiating partners and was eager to settle these issues which were not personal. He is now on the helm of expanding bilateral relationship where France can offer probably more than any other country. Practically there is not anything that we cannot offer more competitively plus the fact that we relate more culturally and are at closer proximity of your country.

Tasnim: How do you expect Iran-EU post-deal relations to develop? What will the possible aspects of those mutual interests include? Such as business or regional security and stability.

Senator Goulet: We are fully aware of the potentials of your country. We are also aware of your desire to secure and stable region for further development of your human and natural resources. The post sanction era for Iran means expansion and development of agriculture, development of water resources, development and expansion of energy resources, faster and safer railway connections and expansion of aviation industry to have a fair share of the market.

By Tasnim News Agency