Iran’s President Rouhani begins three-leg Europe tour

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has arrived in Italy on the first leg of his trip to three European destinations following the implementation of a nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.

Rouhani left Tehran early on Monday at the head of a high-ranking delegation, which includes government officials, Iranian entrepreneurs and businessmen. He was welcomed by Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni at the international Rome Ciampino Airport.

In his visit to Rome, Rouhani is scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Rouhani will also pay his first visit to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis.

On Wednesday, the Iranian president will travel to Paris, where he is expected to meet with his French counterpart Francois Hollande.

Prior to his departure, the president told reporters that the trip comes at a historic juncture as it follows the implementation of the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries as well as the lifting of the sanctions against Iran.

Iran and the P5+1 group – the US, Britain, France, China, and Russia plus Germany – reached the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in July 2015. The deal came into force on January 16, known as the “Implementation Day.”

The president said key documents will be signed during his four-day trip, which will set out a roadmap for mid- and long-term cooperation with Rome and Paris. Rouhani also said a whole range of topics, including investment, technology, transportation, exports insurance, agriculture, and tourism, will be discussed during his trip.

The tour is Rouhani’s first European trip during his tenure as president.

Meanwhile, President Rouhani has announced that he has written a letter to the heads of the P5+1 states. In a short message that appeared on his Persian Twitter account, the Iranian president said he had expressed satisfaction at the efforts carried out to reach the deal signed between Iran and the six other countries. He also expressed optimism about the timely implementation of commitments as per the JCPOA.

In another Tweet, President Rouhani said he had also written to the heads of neighboring states, expressing hope about efforts to make use of opportunities and capacities for cooperation in different fields created following the JCPOA.