Iran's Rouhani embarks on landmark tour to Italy

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives Monday, January 25 in Italy, beginning his first European tour since a nuclear deal saw sanctions lifted against the Islamic Republic, AFP reports.

The visit, whose chief aim is to boost economic ties and which will see Rouhani visit France later this week, had been planned for last November but was cancelled after the deadly jihadist attacks in Paris.

Tehran said Sunday it will buy 114 Airbus planes to revitalise flag carrier Iran Air's ageing fleet -- the first major commercial deal since sanctions were lifted -- and the deal is expected to be signed during the Paris leg of the visit.

After a working lunch with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, Rouhani will meet Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

He is also to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican, in the first official visit by an Iranian president there since Mohammad Khatami in 1999.

Francis is due to urge Rouhani to put pressure on his Syrian ally President Bashar al-Assad and to seek improved relations with Saudi Arabia.

Heading a high-powered business delegation, Rouhani is also to speak at an economic forum, AFP says.

Since 2012, trade between Iran and Italy has slumped from 7 billion euros (around $7.6 billion) to 1.2 billion euros a year. But now sanctions have been lifted, Italian businessmen are eager to renew ties.