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France sees Iran opportunity if sanctions are lifted - Moscovici

Finance minister holds out prospect of renewing old economic ties as French business delegation travels to Iranian capital for meetings.

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France will have "significant commercial opportunities" in Iran if sanctions are lifted, but Tehran first has to prove its good faith in abiding by nuclear undertakings, Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on Sunday, reports Reuters.

Moscovici was speaking on LCI television as a French business delegation travelled to the Iranian capital for meetings with officials and business leaders. The three-day visit is intended to "convey the message that, if the situation improves, there will be significant commercial opportunities for France in Iran", Moscovici said.

"But the underlying message should be read as an (encouragement) to the Iranians to keep their word," he said, adding: "It's a very sensitive dossier."

In return for a pledge by Tehran to freeze key parts of its nuclear programme, world powers including France agreed in November to a six-month suspension of sanctions on selected goods and services. The easing is only now beginning to take effect.

Read more of this report from Reuters.