The Iranian president had been due to attend a dinner at the Elysée Palace later this week.
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Heading a high ranking delegation, President Rouhani will leave Tehran for Rome November 14 at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, IRNA news agency reported. But the French, who pride themselves on both world-famous wines and secular values, reportedly refused, citing the country’s “republican traditions”. However, the Iranians dismissed the idea as “too cheap”, according to French outlet RTL.
Several ministers were to accompany the president.
“The President [of France] will receive the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani on November 17 on the occasion of his official visit to France…”
France has a long history of commercial, political and social links with Iran – in the 1970s revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei lived in exile near Paris.
However, French officials have said they do not believe that will hurt its business in Iran and potential deals are likely to back that opinion.
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Rouhani will set off for Rome this Saturday at the head of a high-ranking delegation to hold talks with senior Italian officials, Iranian Presidential Office’s Deputy for Communications and Publicity Affairs Parviz Esmaeili said on Monday. It included such companies as oil major Total, planemaker Airbus and auto manufacturer Peugeot.
