LOC15:37
12:37 GMT
PARIS, Aug 6 (KUNA) -- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Tuesday
received Iranian ambassador to France Ali Ahani for talks and to deliver a
message on France's vision of future possible relations after the election
last month of President Hassan Rohani and statements from the new president
about dialogue with the West, official sources said.
On Monday, Rohani again offered the prospect of better relations with
Western nations, many of whom are suspicious of Iran's nuclear programme and
fears of a hidden agenda to develop nuclear weapons.
France has been one of the toughest countries in adopting policies towards
Iran and Paris has supported several rounds of UN sanctions and also tougher
European Union measures against Tehran.
The meeting with Fabius today is seen as a direct response to Rohani's
comments on several occasions about seeking to improve ties.
"While the presidential elections showed willingness for change by the
Iranian people, the Minister (Fabius) indicated France's desire to see the
accession to office by President Rohani as opening a new stage in relations
with Iran," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement here.
The statement said France has noted "the affirmation of a willingness for
dialogue on the part of President Rohani" and the French authorities are
"ready to work with the new authorities" in Tehran.
Nonetheless, France "now awaits concrete acts from Iran in response to
international concerns on the finality of its nuclear programme, its
engagement in Syria and the situation for human rights" in Iran, the statement
remarked. (End)
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KUNA 061537 Aug 13NNNN