Hollande: France keen to strengthen relations with Iran

French President Francois Hollande, in a message, underscored the importance of bolstering relations with Iran, and vowed to try his best to upgrade Tehran-Paris ties during President Hassan Rouhani's tenure. Hollande made the remarks in a message to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, conveyed by French Ambassador to Iran Bruno Foucher in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Ali Asqar Khaji in Tehran on Tuesday. The French president congratulated Rouhani on his June 14 election win and praised the Iranian nation’s ancient civilization, and expressed hope that Rouhani’s presidency would open a new chapter in Tehran-Paris ties. On Sunday, Rouhani took the oath of office in the Iranian parliament one day after being endorsed by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Asqar Khaji and French Foreign Ministry Director General for North Africa and Middle-East Affairs Jean Francois Giroux in a meeting in Tehran in Late May discussed bilateral ties and regional developments. During the meeting, Khaji pointed to Iran's prominent position in the region and the country's efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability, and said, "Tehran seeks to enhance its cooperation and interaction with the European countries, including France, based on its own diplomatic principles." Giroux, for his part, underlined the importance of Iran's influential role in the regional developments and called for continuation of bilateral talks between Iran and France. Giroux, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments, Syria in particular, with senior Iranian officials.