TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani has suggested that Iran and France use the atmosphere created by the nuclear deal to strengthen ties.

Rouhani made the remarks during a meeting with President of the Senate of France Gerard Larcher in Tehran on Sunday.

“Iran and France have common objectives in various areas and the sides have the political will to use the existing opportunities to serve the two nations’ interests.”

Rouhani noted that the senior French officials and economic delegations’ trips to Iran after the nuclear deal indicate a new chapter in ties.

He also said that the nuclear agreement between Iran and the 5+1 group proved that international issues can be settled through “dialogue” and “negotiation”.

For his part, Larcher said it is essential for Iran and France to expand the economic relations.

He also said that the French parliament and government attach great importance to the Iranian president’s trip to France.


---Drug and oil trafficking are terrorists’ main source of income ---

Pointing to coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris last month which left 130 dead, Rouhani said that terrorism is a threat to all countries.

He expressed hope that the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in France would be brought to trial soon.

The Iranian president said oil and drug trafficking are the two main sources of income for the terrorists, calling for cooperation to cut these resources.

Some countries should not be allowed to reach their objectives through an instrumental use of terrorist groups, Rouhani said.

---It’s not difficult to identify terror supporters---

Rouhani also noted that it’s not difficult to know who provides financial and military support to terrorist groups.
“Unfortunately, certain countries are now supporting terrorist groups by providing facilities and arms. However, it is not difficult to identify the supporters of terrorist groups.”

Commenting on the Syrian crisis, he said that the political structure of the country should be shaped through election.

---Rafsanjani: Saudis’ clash with Islamic countries contrary to ‘political wisdom’---

During a separate meeting with the French official on Sunday, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said political situation in Saudi Arabia has changed after the death of King Abdullah and the country’s clashes with the Islamic countries runs contrary to “political wisdom”.

Rafsanjani, the chairman of the Expediency Council, said that the deep differences can be resolved through adopting “realistic policies”.

He also slammed the Western countries’ contradictory behavior toward terrorism.

Larcher expressed hope that the international community would prevent spread of terrorism by taking constructive actions.

NA/PA