Rouhani in European Tour: World Thirsty for Ties with Iran

The world is thirsty for relations with Iran, and Tehran would continue enhancement of ties with the international community, including the European states, Rouhani said in Italy before heading to France.

He referred to the nuclear deal clinched between Iran and the world powers in July which nullified the sanctions, and said the Europeans were the biggest losers of embargos against Tehran.

Heading a 120-strong delegation of business leaders and ministers, Rouhani spent two days in Rome before flying to France on Wednesday.

Iran and Italy signed business deals worth billions of dollars on Monday at the start of a visit to Europe by President Rouhani aimed at rebuilding his nation’s ties with the West after sanctions.

The two sides signed up to 17 billion euros ($18.4 billion) worth of deals in sectors from energy to infrastructure, steel, shipbuilding, mining, agriculture, modern technology, travel and tourism, among others.

Among the deals struck on Monday were a pipeline contract worth between $4 billion and $5 billion for oil services group Saipem, up to 5.7 billion euros in contracts for Italian steel firm Danieli, and up to 4 billion euros of business for infrastructure firm Condotte d’Acqua.

Also, on Wednesday, the two countries signed a comprehensive roadmap to join efforts in the war against global terrorism and extremism.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of international diplomacy, economy, culture, tourism, science, and technology.