PARIS, Nov. 12 (UPI) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will make a historic trip to France this weekend, but the event has been marred by a dispute over wine, which reportedly resulted in the cancellation of a face-to-face meeting between Rouhani and French President Francois Hollande.
France’s RTL Radio reports that Iranians insisted halal meat should be served and wine should not as part of the menu for the meal planned between Rouhani and Hollande — a request France rejected. Iran’s request is based on Islamic codes restricting alcohol and France’s rejection stems from cultural culinary tradition.
“A meal had been planned but fell through,” a source involved in French-Iranian affairs told RTL, adding that leaders were missing out on “a great opportunity”.
This will be Rouhani’s first trip to Europe as president and one where he is expected to celebrate Iran’s economic growth after the removal of international economic sanctions placed over the country’s nuclear program.
The Elysée Palace, France’s equivalent of the United States’ White House, suggested a breakfast between leaders in an attempt to compromise, but Iranians rejected the idea for being “too cheap,” RTL reported.
Rouhani and Hollande will still meet for two hours of talks on Tuesday.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius praised the recent nuclear agreement with Iran and suggested both countries will benefit from diplomacy.
“We are two great, independent countries, two great civilizations,” Fabius said in July. “It is true that in recent years, for reasons that everyone knows, the ties have cooled but now thanks the nuclear deal, things will be able to change.”
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