Tehran, July 29, IRNA - Visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius here on Wednesday praised the effective role of Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Akbar Salehi in nuclear negotiations.

Asked about the plans of France for removing the negative mentality toward this European country in Iranians public opinion, Fabius replied,' I'm not really in a position to judge this mentality.'

'This is my first visit to Iran, I have talked with my counterpart and I have information in this respect,' Fabius noted.

'We had a very good relationship in the past with Iran and the two countries have great civilizations' he said, reiterating that France is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council and plays an important role for establishing peace and development in the world.

Fabius said here on Wednesday that Iran is an influential country in the region.

'I know that the Iranians have these feelings and at the same time they know that the French Revolution occurred in France. We inherited it,' he added.

Fabius said that Iran is an influential country in the region, adding Paris and Tehran enjoy joint interests in fight against terrorism and extremism.

Upon arrival in Tehran on Wednesday morning, Fabius said that an economic French delegation, including several companies, visit Iran in September.

This is the first visit by a French foreign minister to Tehran in 12 years.

While in Tehran, the French foreign minister is set to hold talks with President Hassan Rouhani, Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Mohammadreza Nematzadeh and Vice-President and Head of the Department of Environment (DOE) Massoumeh Ebtekar.

By IRNA