Iran's President Rouhani in Italy seeking business deals Published duration 25 January 2016 Related Topics Iran nuclear deal

image copyright Getty Images image caption President Hassan Rouhani (left) was welcomed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has arrived in Italy for the first leg of a European trip during which he is expected to sign major business deals.

The visit comes a week after the implementation of a nuclear deal that saw economic sanctions against the Islamic republic lifted.

In Rome, Mr Rouhani is expected to sign agreements with Italian firms worth some $18bn (£13bn).

On his second stop in France, he will sign a major plane deal with Airbus.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Iran is keen to upgrade its ageing fleet of commercial aircraft

The Iranian president is leading a 120-member delegation that includes government ministers and businessmen for the five days of meetings in Rome and Paris.

It is the first state visit to Europe by an Iranian leader for 16 years.

In Italy, Mr Rouhani is holding talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

"This is a very important visit," a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

"It's time to turn the page and open the door to co-operation between our countries in different areas," the official added.

The Iranian president is expected to sign a contract with the steel company Danieli, and is also due to meet Pope Francis.

image copyright Reuters image caption President Rouhani (centre) passes traditionally dressed guards as he arrives at the Italian presidential palace

During the second leg in Paris, Mr Rouhani wants to finalise a deal with Airbus for the purchase of 114 aircraft from the European manufacturer.

Tehran is also considering buying planes from US manufacturer Boeing.

Since the 1979 revolution, which brought Islamic clerics to power, Iran has struggled to buy planes and spare parts from the West. Passengers in Iranian airports often wait many hours for ageing jets to be fixed.

To ordinary Iranians, the promise of brand new planes will be the most immediate sign so far that the nuclear deal is making their lives better, the BBC's James Reynolds in Rome reports.

On Saturday, Iran and China signed 17 agreements on a range of issues from energy to boosting trade to $600bn.