TEHRAN - Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has said that the nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 group opens a new chapter in relations between Iran and the Western countries, especially France.

During a meeting with former French senator Jean-Pierre Chevenement in Tehran on Saturday, Velayati also said the Iranian and French people hold “optimistic” view toward each other and the ground for expanding ties between the two countries has been provided.

He added that the two countries can cooperate in establishing peace and easing tensions in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Velayati, a former foreign minister who currently chairs the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council, said Iran and France are adamant in maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

For his part, Chevenement said the nuclear agreement will provide better opportunity for Iran and France to expand ties. He also said that a French economic delegation is scheduled to arrive in Tehran on Sunday.

Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany) reached a nuclear agreement in Vienna on July 14 which paves the way for lifting sanctions against Iran.

NA/PA