DUSHANBE, January 27, 2016, Asia-Plus —
The Wall Street Journal
reports that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s campaign to reintroduce Tehran to the West took a step forward with a high-profile audience with Pope Francis that focused on human rights and Iran’s role in Middle East conflicts.
The meeting—the first between a pontiff and an Iranian leader since 1999—came on January 26, the second day of a four-day visit by Mr. Rouhani to Italy and France that is meant to cement the country’s ties with the West.
The trip is the first by the Iranian president since sanctions on Iran were loosened this month in the wake of an agreement to implement key restrictions on its nuclear program.
Most of Mr. Rouhani’s visit, including meetings with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and French President François Hollande, is focused on jump-starting Iran’s economic relations with Europe.
But the meeting with Pope Francis is particularly significant because of the close ties the Vatican and Iran have enjoyed for decades and Iran’s desire to project an image of a tolerant country in a region beset by strife.
The pontiff and Mr. Rouhani reportedly met for 40 minutes—extraordinarily long compared with typical state meetings held by the pope. Mr. Rouhani was accompanied by a 12-person entourage, including Iran’s foreign minister.
According to
The New York Times
, Pope Francis urged Iran to play an “important role” in finding political solutions for the various conflicts afflicting the Middle East.
The two leaders stressed “the importance of interreligious dialogue” to achieve this aim and the responsibilities of religious communities “in promoting reconciliation, tolerance and peace,” the Vatican said in a statement.
The Guardian
reports that Iranian president’s visit to Europe aims at rebuilding economic ties and Iran is expected to sign a deal with Airbus for 114 new aircraft.
Europe was Iran’s largest trading partner before sanctions, and has sent an unprecedented number of business delegations to the country since the landmark nuclear agreement with the west was sealed in July. The end of sanctions, including the removal of EU’s embargo on Iranian oil imports, means that trade can begin again.
