Italy invites Iran’s Rouhani for Rome visit

Dubai: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has accepted an invitation to visit Rome, Italy’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday, in what would be his first trip to an EU capital as he tries to mend diplomatic and economic ties with the West.

Italian Economic Development Minister Federica Guidi, who accompanied the delegation, told Iranian reporters that Italy would certainly invest in Iran’s vehicle industry in near future.

Gentiloni, who has arrived along with the Italian minister of economic development and a group of high-ranking directors of Italian state-run and private companies also expressed Italy’s resolve to elevate the level of contacts between the two countries based on the new round of cooperation. His spokesman confirmed the comment.

Fars explained to its readers that the report was an attempt to tarnish Secretary of State John Kerry’s reputation “as the Republicans and the Israeli lobbies have started massive propaganda to torpedo a recent nuclear deal struck between the six world powers and Iran”.

The nuclear deal will lead to worldwide sanctions, which had frozen much European business investment in Iran, being lifted in the coming months.

Before his visit, Gentiloni was quoted by the Iranian Mehr news agency as saying the nuclear agreement “will serve as an opportunity for a gradual improvement in the two countries’ relations”.

Eni said earlier this month it would consider investing in Iran after sanctions are lifted and if Tehran offers more favourable contract terms in line with global standards.

There are lots of areas for attracting foreign investment in Iran, especially in energy, banking, industry, transportation, and health sectors, Rouhani said.

Iran-Italy’s trade turnover is about $1.5 billion, but Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayyebnia said during a meeting with Gentiloni that Iran is keen that the volume doubles.