Iranian Official Underlines Importance of Economic Ties with Turkey
2021-April-29
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President’s Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi said that his country attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey, specially in economic fields.
"Among the 15 neighboring countries, Iran has the best economic relations with Turkey, Vaezi said, addressing the 28th edition of the Joint Economic Cooperation meeting.
“We always attach great importance to relations with our neighbor and brother Turkey, especially in the economic sector”, he stressed, adding “We should not let the problems caused by the Coronavirus and the sanctions affect our relations.”
He described the joint commission as an economic roadmap between Iran and Turkey, saying that it could change developments between the two countries.
Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and Turkey includes various fields, specially banking relations, trade agreements, private sectors’ joint investments, expansion of transport, customs and scientific cooperation, energy sector, and cooperation between chambers of commerce.
The presidents of Iran and Turkey have set a goal to achieve an annual $30 billion trade exchange volume, Vaezi said in the meeting, adding, “We must move forward in this path and that is the goal we can achieve.”
"The more we increase gas exports and return our oil exports to the pre-sanctions era, the more it will affect our trade relations with Turkey", he added.
In relevant remarks in mid-April, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined that cooperation between Tehran and Ankara can lead to the resolution of different problems and crises in the region.
“Cooperation between Iran and Turkey, as two important and influential countries in the region, can be effective in resolving regional problems and crises,” Rouhani said on April 14.
“Cooperation among regional countries is essential to ensure security, peace and stability. We believe it is dangerous to let the usurping Zionist regime gain a foothold in the region, and it is necessary for it (Israel) to be seriously dealt with,” he added.
Rouhani stressed the importance of improving Iran’s cooperation with Turkey on regional and international issues, including the settlement of the Syrian crisis through the Astana talks.
Pointing to cordial Tehran-Ankara relations, the president noted that the expansion of cooperation in various political, economic and trade sectors can help both sides play a “better” role in the region.
Rouhani also expressed hope that the upcoming 28th meeting of the Iran-Turkey joint economic committee would further enhance joint efforts in the fields of energy, transportation and trade and commodity exchanges between the two countries.
He said the two neighbors need to work together and share experience and capabilities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Erdogan, for his part, said his country is firmly determined to deepen friendly relations with Iran and hailed bilateral cooperation even during the coronavirus outbreak.
He added that the planned meeting of the joint economic committee is a clear example of the two countries’ resolve to strengthen cooperation, especially in the economic and trade fields.