IFIF Public Relation-The two sides signed up to 17 billion euros ($18.4 billion) worth of deals in sectors from energy to infrastructure, steel, shipbuilding, mining, agriculture, modern technology, travel and tourism, among others.

Among the deals struck on Monday were a pipeline contract worth between $4 billion and $5 billion for oil services group Saipem, up to 5.7 billion euros in contracts for Italian steel firm Danieli, and up to 4 billion euros of business for infrastructure firm Condotte d'Acqua.
 
During the signing ceremony, President Rouhani said for a time Italy was Iran’s top trading partner in Europe, and with resumption of a new chapter in ties “I am confident” that the two countries could once again return to such a high level of cooperation.

Rouhani touched upon the importance of joint investment ventures by private sectors and maintained that Iran could act as Italy’s hub for push into the markets in Central Asia, Caucasus and the Indian Ocean.  

He went on to state that the Iran nuclear deal with the West proved diplomacy is best way to resolve disputes and establish sustainable peace, arguing that “the diplomatic breakthrough should become a roadmap to resolve all other regional issues.”

Standing alongside Rouhani, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also said, "This is just the beginning of a journey. There are sectors where we must work closer together.”

“I am sure this visit will be a fundamental part of our ability to overcome together the challenge of fighting terrorism, atrocity and evil that we all have to confront together," Renzi added, referring specifically to the ISIL militants, who oppose Iran and the West in equal measure./S