Health minister discusses medical cooperation with French envoy

In the meeting, Hashemi said there are joint scientific, educational and research cooperation grounds between the two countries.
Hashemi referred to old relations between Iran's Pasteur Institute and French one and said head of France Pasteur Institute is to visit Iran soon.
He said there are 600 research centers in Iran and some of them have international ranking, so connection between scientists and researchers of the two countries could be helpful for promotion of bilateral cooperation.
Hashemi said in terms of scientific and research, Iran has the first ranking in the region and 16 in the world.
Currently Iran has 200,000 medical students, who are studying in 57 universities and 90 medical faculties and underlined reciprocal relations between university professors of the two countries.
He said one of the mechanisms for expansion of relations between Iran and France in the field of medical sciences is holding joint congresses and workshops.
Concerning construction of hospitals, Hashemi said that both private and public sectors are interested in foreign investment and added that in the field of aerial, naval and ground ambulances there are possibility for joint venture with French companies.
Francois Senemaud said that last year, the visit of President Rouhani to France was a big success and so important for bilateral cooperation.
Existence of Iran's Pasteur Institute indicated scientific and friendship relations between the two countries and announced congress of Pasteur Institutes' directors of the world in Iran in November.
Senemaud said that one of the mutually agreed projects is to build up medical research laboratories, which is supported by both governments.
He underlined necessity to exchange Iranian and French students in the level of graduate and Ph.D. and said he will do his utmost to grant long time visa for applicants to study in the levels in France.
Senemaud reminded that one of reputable French companies in the field of construction of hospitals is now negotiating in Tabriz, capital city of East Azarbaijan province, to build one thousand-bed hospital in the city.
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