France Iran to sign deals during Rouhani's Paris visit

Rouhani will be inFrance for a two-dayvisit (fromNov.16 to Nov.17) in response to French leader Francois Hollande's invitationearlier this year.

"In a few days we will proceed with the signing of some agreements" said Rouhani in an exclusive interview on French radio and TV Europe 1 and France 2 on Wednesday.

Rouhani spoke aboutsigningbusiness contractsincluding inthe air transport energy and automobile sectors.

Renewed air links between the two states will also be on the agenda.

"Before my visit there were negotiations in the field of transport agriculture and industrial applications ...the resumption of flights between the two countries were the subject of negotiations" Rouhani said.

On Tuesday the French president's office said in a statement: "Several accords will be signed by French and Iranian ministers covering a variety of sectors in particular political dialogue economic cooperation air transport health and agriculture."

In July this year Iran and the so-called P5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) signed a final nuclear agreement also known asthe Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

According to the terms of the deal Tehranwill limit some of its nuclear activities in return for having longstanding sanctions on the country lifted.

Following the removal of sanctionsIran hopes to raise national oil and gas production through an anticipated influx of foreign investmentwith a view to boosting energy exports thereby increasing national revenue.