Post date: Jan 22, 2014 3:35:41 PM
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives at the World Economic Forum's Conference Centre, the day before he is due to make a speech to political and business leaders.
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND (JANUARY 22, 2014) (REUTERS) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss mountain resort ofDavos on Wednesday (January 22), a day before he is due to address the world's business and political leaders at the WEF.
Rouhani walked past delegates and journalists without making any comments and headed towards rooms where bilateral meetings are held.Rouhani is due to address delegates at the WEF on Thursday (January 23), an event which attracts political and business leaders from around the world.
The pragmatic president will court global business in Davos, after winning an easing of some economic sanctions, but analysts say any trade bonanza depends on the long-term success of nuclear diplomacy.
Rouhani is also expected to address a panel of top global oil executives on Thursday, according to several executives meeting on the sidelines of the WEF. The meeting comes as the Islamic Republic steps up efforts to win back investments from oil companies as part of its rapprochement with the West.
Iran had been invited by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to join talks in Switzerland on Wednesday between Syria's government and its enemies. But that invitation was retracted after Syria's political opposition said it would withdraw from the peace talks if President Bashar al-Assad's main sponsor took part.