Italy covers up Roman nudes to avoid offending Iranian president after signing £12billion trade deal

Italy has covered up some of its most iconic nude statues so as not to upset the visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

A wooden box was placed around several pieces, including a Venus dating back to the Second Century BC, at Rome's Capitoline Museum.

Both Rouhani and Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi spoke at the museum after a signing ceremony which saw Italian companies tie up £12.5billion worth of business with Iran. 

Before: Marble statues stand proudly in Rome's Capitoline Museum where Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi both spoke after £12billion worth of deals between the countries was agreed

After: Wooden crates were placed around several pieces including a Venus statue which dated back to the second Century BC

The decision to hide iconic artwork from the Muslim president was condemned by some, including the Superior Council for Cultural Heritage at the Italian culture ministry, Guiliano Volpe. 

He told broadcaster Rai3: 'You can not hide your culture, your religion or history itself. It was the wrong decision... We must enhance rather respect and differences.'

The museum cover up was not the only step Italy took to ensure the Iranian visit passed went smoothly.

Wine was not served at Rouhani's lunch with President Sergio Mattarella, or his dinner with Renzi, because he refuses to attend official meals where alcohol is available. 

The Italian government and private companies signed more than a dozen accords during Rouhani's visit to Rome today.

The Danieli Group, a metals industry concern, signed around £4.3billion in deals to supply Iran with machinery and install steel and aluminum plants in the Islamic Republic.

No thank you: Wine was not served at Rouhani's (right) lunch with President Sergio Mattarella, or his dinner with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (left), because he refuses to attend official meals where alcohol is available

The Saipem oil company agreed a memorandum of understanding with the Parsian Oil and Gas Development Company to upgrade two refineries, but the details of the money involved were not released.

The Italian State Railway also signed a memorandum of understanding to develop Iran's high-speed railway. It will offer technical assistance on a 250 mile high-speed line, followed by other projects.

Shipbuilder Fincantieri signed several deals, including one to develop a new shipyard in the Persian Gulf.

Iran is signing business deals across Europe as its president embarks on a tour of the continent to restore contacts ,after years of economic sanctions and international isolation.

Most sanctions were dropped last week after Iran agreed with world powers on a plan to limit its nuclear capabilities. 

Companies including oil suppliers and car manufacturers are now fighting to take advantage of the opening of the country of nearly 80million people.

Some business deals are ready to be inked but others are still in negotiation as a few sanctions not related to the nuclear program remain in place, particularly by the U.S., on the trade of goods that could be used for military or intelligence purposes.

'I'd say the light went from red to orange,' the CEO of carmaker Renault-Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, said last week, when the sanctions were lifted. 'We're waiting for it to go from orange to green.'

As European companies prepare to ramp up operations in Iran, here's a look at what deals are being made and where.

(Source: dailymail.co.uk)