France Ready To Reap Rewards In Israel for Blocking Iran Deal

Berlin, Nov 17, IRNA -- As French President Francois Hollande prepares for his trip to Israel on Sunday, he is "ready to reap (Israeli) rewards" for his country's role in torpedoing a deal on Iran's nuclear program, according to German Press-Agency dpa. The report stressed Frances sabotage of the Iran nuclear agreement during the recent talks in Geneva which had also caused frustration among western diplomats, had won Paris new friends, notably Israel. It pointed out Frances hardline position in Geneva was geared at landing business deals with Israel. Hollande will be accompanied by 40 chief executives during his three-day visit to Israel, including the heads of Alstom transport company and construction giant Bougyues, said dpa. French diplomats said deals may be signed during the trip, it added. Grappling with a dismal state of French economy, Paris is reportedly looking for business contracts with Israel in various sectors, among them transport, military hardware and technology. France has made no secret of the fact that the main engine of its diplomacy is the economy. Faced with a collapse in exports and record unemployment, Fabius announced a new economic diplomacy push in August 2012. Diplomats, he said, would be required to have a focus on business./end