Rouhani ready to ‘turn the page’ in Iran-France relations

They will give a joint news conference following their meeting.

But the thrust of the trip was about improving economic and diplomatic relations after years of hostility. “200,000 have swarmed (our borders) what do we do now?'”

Rouhani, in a speech to French think tank IFRI, said that for such diplomacy to work, both sides must “lower our pretensions”.

“My coming here is to show that Iran is ready for investments”, Rouhani added, speaking through a translator.

He was responding to a question about how Iran can contribute to restoring order in Middle East. Last week, Fabius visited Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, Iran’s fierce rival, and Paris will shortly welcome the Saudi crown prince.

“Iran is the safest most stable country in the whole region, a country that doesn’t intend to attack, invade or meddle in the affairs of any state”, Rouhani told a business forum in Rome.

“Welcome Rouhani, Executioner of Freedom”, read a huge banner across the pedestrian bridge over the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower.

But there’s also a note of caution, notably about Iran’s human rights record and geopolitical goals.

Iran is one of the world’s largest users of the death penalty, ranking second behind China in 2014, according to Amnesty International.

Rouhani is reaching out to European businesses on the first visit by an Iranian president to Europe since 1999.

The EU and the USA lifted sanctions on Tehran on January 16 in exchange for United Nations certification that Iran had scaled back its nuclear programs.

While those sanctions were lifted earlier this month, Iran’s latest ballistic missile tests prompted new US sanctions.

A few dozen people protested the visit in front of France’s Foreign Ministry, some shouting “Rouhani dictator, down down Rouhani”.

France wants Iran to play a “positive role” in the Syrian war and become a partner in peace to resolve the conflict, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.

Iranian officials have said they are poised to agree on a deal for Airbus aircraft.

“Attention then turned to the conclusion and application of the Nuclear Accord and the important role that Iran is called upon to fulfill, along with other countries in the region, to promote suitable political solutions to the problems afflicting the Middle East, to counter the spread of terrorism and arms trafficking”.

Banks also remain wary so soon after the lifting of sanctions, senior French bankers have said.

Four business arrangements were flagged by France’s main industry body Medef, including a joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroen PEUP.PA and Iran Khodro, and plans for Iran to buy over 100 Airbus AIR.PA passenger planes to update its ageing fleet.

Rouhani arrived in Paris on Wednesday from Rome, where billions of euros’ worth of trade deals were reached, and was formally greeted Thursday morning at the gold-domed Invalides monument that houses Napoleon’s tomb.

“France is available for Iran”, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said alongside Rouhani and a large group of high-level French executives whose companies are interested in resuming trade with his long-isolated nation of 80 million people. He was due to meet his French counterpart Francois Hollande later on Thursday.