This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/the-latest-iranian-president-formally-welcomed-to-france/2016/01/28/de9a01b6-c595-11e5-b933-31c93021392a_story.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Car-making deals, protests greet Iranian president in Paris Car-making deals, protests greet Iranian president in Paris
(about 3 hours later)
PARIS — France welcomed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday with a lucrative car-making agreement and pledges to boost trade after a diplomatic deal easing nuclear tensions — but clouds hung over the historic trip. PARIS — France welcomed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday with a long-term car-making agreement and pledges to boost trade now that a diplomatic deal is easing nuclear tensions.
France has asked its European Union partners to consider new sanctions on Iran for its recent ballistic missile tests, officials have told The Associated Press. The possibility highlights continued suspicions between Iran and the West despite the recent agreement curbing Iran’s nuclear program that prompted the lifting of earlier sanctions. Yet clouds hung over the historic outreach trip. France has asked its European Union partners to consider new sanctions on Iran for its recent ballistic missile tests, officials have told The Associated Press. That highlights continued suspicions between Iran and the West despite the recent agreement curbing Iran’s nuclear program that prompted the lifting of earlier sanctions.
Rouhani arrived in Paris on Wednesday from Rome, where billions of euros worth of trade deals were reached, and was formally greeted to France on Thursday morning at the gold-domed Invalides monument where Napoleon is buried. 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.
Rouhani’s visit was also met with protests, notably over recent executions in Iran. A nearly naked woman hung from a fake noose off a Paris bridge Thursday next to a huge banner reading “Welcome Rouhani, Executioner of Freedom.” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the countries should forget past rancor. “France is available for Iran,” he said. “Iran can count on France.”
But the thrust of the trip was about improving economic and diplomatic relations after years of hostility. Rouhani’s visit was also met with protests, notably over executions in Iran. A nearly naked woman hung from a fake noose off a Paris bridge Thursday next to a huge banner reading “Welcome Rouhani, Executioner of Freedom.”
“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. But the thrust of the trip was about improving economic and diplomatic relations after years of isolation for his country of 80 million people.
Later Rouhani and French President Francois Hollande will oversee a ceremony for signing about 20 bilateral accords. Rouhani said his country is “favorable terrain” for resumed trade between East and West, as he and Valls pledged to turn the page on past tensions.
Rouhani, speaking to French executives, urged efforts to unblock financing for resumed trade now that sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program have been lifted. Continued U.S. bank restrictions against Iran are a hurdle to many European companies seeking renewed commerce.
France’s Peugeot-Citroen announced a joint venture with automaker Iran Khodro to make 200,000 cars a year outside Tehran. Carlos Tavares, chairman of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen managing board, said it will be a 50-50 joint venture, aiming to produce three new models of cars starting late next year.France’s Peugeot-Citroen announced a joint venture with automaker Iran Khodro to make 200,000 cars a year outside Tehran. Carlos Tavares, chairman of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen managing board, said it will be a 50-50 joint venture, aiming to produce three new models of cars starting late next year.
“We must go beyond those wounds” caused by sanctions, Tavares said. Peugeot was a major player in Iran’s car market before the sanctions were imposed.“We must go beyond those wounds” caused by sanctions, Tavares said. Peugeot was a major player in Iran’s car market before the sanctions were imposed.
Iran’s state-owned newspaper reported Thursday that several European airlines will resume their flights to Iran, halted amid the nuclear sanctions. France’s state rail company SNCF also announced a deal, and other French companies were expected to follow later Thursday, when Rouhani and President Francois Hollande oversee the signing of about 20 bilateral agreements.
The EU and the U.S. lifted sanctions on Tehran on Jan. 16 in exchange for U.N. certification that Iran had scaled back its nuclear programs. Iran said those programs were peaceful but critics feared it wanted to build nuclear weapons. Air France is resuming Tehran flights in April, and an Iranian state newspaper said other European airlines are planning the same.
While those sanctions were lifted earlier this month, Iran’s latest ballistic missile tests prompted new U.S. sanctions. The EU and the U.S. lifted sanctions on Tehran on Jan. 16 in exchange for U.N. certification that Iran had scaled back its nuclear programs. Iran maintained those programs were peaceful but critics feared it wanted to build nuclear weapons. But Iran’s latest ballistic missile tests prompted new U.S. sanctions.
While France has asked EU partners about possible new sanctions over those tests, too, the French government is also hoping to draw in Iran’s help in peacemaking in its region, notably in Syria and Yemen, and easing tensions with regional rival Saudi Arabia.
Rouhani said the protracted, complex — but ultimately successful — nuclear negotiations could serve as an example for solving multiple crises in the Middle East.
Rouhani, in a speech to French think tank IFRI, said that for such diplomacy to work, both sides must “lower our pretensions.”
Speaking through a translator, he said “that allowed us to reach accords” on curbing Iran’s nuclear program and lifting sanctions. “Each side must feel it is a win-win agreement.”
France, which has deep ties with Arab countries and has sought to improve ties with Israel, is conducting a balancing act in the region. Last week, Foreigh Minister Laurent Fabius visited Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, Iran’s fierce rival, and Paris will shortly welcome the Saudi crown prince.
Rouhani also met Pope Francis on the first such Iranian foray into Europe since 1999. Rouhani was originally scheduled to visit Paris in November, but the trip was called off after Nov. 13 Islamic extremist attacks that killed 130 people.Rouhani also met Pope Francis on the first such Iranian foray into Europe since 1999. Rouhani was originally scheduled to visit Paris in November, but the trip was called off after Nov. 13 Islamic extremist attacks that killed 130 people.
Paris also wants to draw Tehran into a role as peacemaker in a Middle East that is fraught with civil war in Syria, where Iran has played an active role in support of President Bashar Assad, and in Yemen.
France, which has deep ties with Arab countries, also conducts a balancing act in the region. Last week, Fabius visited Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, Iran’s fierce rival, and Paris will shortly welcome the Saudi crown prince.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.