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Iran, France sign 5 memos on economic cooperation

Xinhua, January 31, 2017 Adjust font size:

Iran and France on Tuesday signed five memoranda of understanding on expanding economic cooperation in areas such as airport development and fisheries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his visiting French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, were present in the signing ceremony.

The documents cover development of Iran's Mashhad Airport, construction of a bioethanol factory in Kermanshah, fishery cooperation aimed of producing caviar, and technology transfer, semi-official Fars news agency reported.

In addition, Iran's Alborz Chamber of Commerce and a French company agreed to offer aviation training courses for Iran and regional countries.

During his meeting with Ayrault, Zarif hailed the upward trend in relations with France, saying bilateral trade in 2016, at more than 1.7 billion U.S. dollars, tripled as compared with the previous year.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran as a reliable partner is ready for sustainable economic cooperation on the basis of mutual interest with the European countries, especially with France," Zarif added.

For his part, Ayrault underlined his country's efforts to further develop trade and economic relations with Iran through the involvement of more French banks in interactions with Tehran.

"France has been active in guaranteeing exports to Iran and the French banks have played a role in this regard which shows France's confidence in trade with Iran," Ayrault said. "We will try to involve more banks."

He also pledged to facilitate visa issuance for Iranians.

"I have declared this issue to our embassy in Tehran and our ambassador is also taking action in this regard," Ayrault said.

Ayrault, who arrived in Iranian capital Tehran on Monday on a two-day visit, is also scheduled to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani. Endit