“France needs to demonstrate its willingness for the deal to be concluded in the next few weeks and use its capabilities in peaceful nuclear energy, aviation, rail transportation and agriculture as leverage with US and Iran to get the economic boost and employment that (it) badly needs,” Nathalie Goulet said in an email interview with the Tasnim News Agency.
She was referring to the nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) with the aim of reaching a lasting agreement on Tehran’s civilian nuclear program.
“France, despite its recent congressional efforts, is already late in the game. Elise has subdued all French congressional efforts. Iran wants to see the change in French foreign policy and hear from the President of Republic in support of the deal right now, because if any deal has to be reached, it will be reached with or without France,” she explained.
Her comments came as negotiators from Iran and the six nations are to meet in the Austrian capital of Vienna next week, making an apparent last-ditch effort to hammer out a comprehensive agreement.
On November 24, 2013, Iran and the Group 5+1 (also referred to as the P5+1 or E3+3) signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) came into effect in January and expired in July, when the parties decided to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a final accord.