IRNA – Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Bahram Qasemi says that the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault to Tehran is important as he also chairs Iran-France joint economic commission.


Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Qasemi described France as an important European country that has had long-lasting political relations with Iran.

Tehran and Paris have witnessed ups and downs in their bilateral ties, but after the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a favorable situation was created for the two countries, the senior diplomat noted.

About the travel of Ayrault to Tehran that started on Monday evening, Qasemi said he is visiting Tehran at the head of a 60-member delegation.

Holding the Tehran-Paris joint economic commission will be the first after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran or even before that. The event will be considered as the beginning of deepening of bilateral economic cooperation, the official added.

About the two sides’ political ties, Qasemi said Iran and France can hold major talks on the issues of Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq as the two enjoy quite the same stance on those areas.

Due to the new situation in Europe and the challenges it faces as well as developments in the Middle East region and in the US, Tehran and Paris can exchange views about bilateral and regional questions and reach agreements on them.

On the the issue of the JCPOA between Iran and major world powers including France, Qasemi said there is no way but implementation of the deal; this is what the French officials have also reiterated recently.