Deals and Warms Words Flow As Iranian President Visits Europe
Source: Reuters
World | Mon Jan 25, 2016 5:02pm EST
ROME | BY ANTONELLA CINELLI AND CRISPIAN BALMER
Italy and Iran signed billions of dollars of business deals on Monday 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 Wednesday, 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 17 billion euros ($18.4 billion) worth of deals in sectors from energy to infrastructure and from steel to shipbuilding.
"This is just the beginning of a journey. There are sectors where we must work closer together," Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said, standing alongside Rouhani.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-europe-rouhani-idUSKCN0V31DJ
