TABRIZ, East Azarbaijan Province -- French Ambassador to Iran Francois Nicoullaud said here Tuesday that his country is ready to participate in the construction of the metro in Tabriz, IRNA reported.

In a meeting with Tabriz Mayor Abadollah Fathollahi, he said France is ready for closer trade and cultural ties with Iran.

He also referred to France as the fourth largest exporter of goods to Iran, adding that currently French investors themselves decide in cases of increasing investments in Iran.

The French Embassy supports steps taken in facilitating foreign investments by Iran, Nicoullaud underlined.

He also welcomed the proposal for calling Tabriz and a French city as sister cities.

Fathollahi called for signing a bilateral memorandum of understanding between the two countries to exchange cultural and artistic groups.

Meanwhile, Nicoullaud announced on Saturday that France is ready to undertake more economic projects in Iran.

Touching on the various economic and cultural grounds for greater bilateral cooperation, the envoy said that his trip to Tabriz is for the purpose of exploring Iran's cultural and economic capabilities.

Nicoullaud also inaugurated a factory producing heat-resistant materials and ceramics. The project cost of 100 million euro, 49 percent of which is undertaken by the French side.

On his trip to East Azarbaijan Province, the French ambassador also said Sunday that France plans to open cultural centers in Tehran and Tabriz. In a meeting with provincial Governor General Sobhanollahi, he said Tabriz is one of the most important cities in Iran, adding, "because of its close proximity to Europe, Tabriz is considered one of the most important economic, cultural and political centers by the Europeans."