Deals and warms words flow as Iranian president visits Europe
Italy and Iran signed billions of dollars of business deals on January 25 at the start of a visit to Europe by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani aimed at rebuilding his nation's ties with the West after years of economic sanctions.
Heading a 120-strong delegation of business leaders and ministers, Rouhani will spend two days in Rome before flying to France on January 27, looking to polish Tehran's diplomatic credentials at a time of turmoil in the Middle East.
An Italian government source said the Iranians would sign up to EUR17 billion (US$18.4 billion) worth of deals in sectors from energy to infrastructure and from steel to shipbuilding.
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"I am sure this visit will be a fundamental part of our ability to overcome together the challenge of fighting terrorism, atrocity and evil that we all have to confront together," Renzi added, referring specifically to Islamic State militants, who oppose Iran and the West in equal measure.
Rouhani had originally been due to visit Europe in November but canceled the trip after an Islamic State attack on Paris, which killed 130 people.
"We have always been in the front line against terrorism. We have to continue (cooperating with Italy) to secure a genuine peace in Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Libya," the Iranian president said, speaking through a translator.
Many Western nations have accused Iran of funding various militant groups, and despite a landmark nuclear deal between world powers and Tehran last year, the United States is keeping some of its financial sanctions in place because of the alleged links and human rights abuses.
