Europeans Compete to Visit Iran

-The visit made by the Italian delegation headed by Italy’s Foreign Minister and accompanied by the Minister of Development and heads of industries is aimed at the expansion of political, economic and trade relations.

-These visits show that the Europeans were dissatisfied with the economic sanctions which were imposed against Iran and the damages which they suffered from.

-Italy’s influence in the international system and the Middle East is less than France because France has always had a traditional influence since the colonization period but Italy’s influence was only limited to Libya.

-Laurent Fabius had always had anti-Iran positions before the agreement was reached between Iran and the P5+1 especially when he was the prime minister or the interior minister.

-This position appeared again during the course of the nuclear negotiations, where France, compared to other European countries, took harsher stances against Iran and in line with the opponents of these negotiations including Israel and the Arab states of the region.

-But the same person who, due to his close relations with the Israelis, took severe positions against Iran was among the first European foreign ministers who came to Iran after the nuclear agreement and even presented an official invitation to Mr. Rohani.

-That is why Fabius’ visit is more significant from the political aspect than the visits made by other ministers.

-Nonetheless, the Italian delegation’s visit to Iran is also important from an economic point of view because prior to the sanctions, Italy had always had expanded economic relations with Iran.

-During the period of the reformist administration in Iran, Italy’s investments in small industries helped the government to reduce unemployment and the repetition of that experience could also help in reducing the unemployment rate which is one of the economic problems of the country.

-Other foreign ministers are also scheduled to visit Iran in the near future and their visit is sometimes postponed due to Mr. Zarif’s full schedule. This is a good indication of Iran’s bright future following the nuclear agreement.

-Europeans are certain that the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 will be implemented and both sides will fulfill their commitments since they are all determined to continue this path.

-Iran and the P5+1 have had a successful experience in fulfilling their commitments within the framework of the first agreement called the Joint Plan of Action. Therefore, this certainty is now established on the basis that the final agreement will also be implemented completely.

-Thus, European countries are competing with each other to find their proper place in Iran’s growing market and attracting foreign investments.