Call for Expansion of Tehran-Ankara Relations and Cooperation

TEHRAN (Iran News) Ömer Bolat, during a joint press conference with Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development on Monday, highlighted the 29th meeting of the Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission and the signing of the commission’s memorandum of understanding. He also referred to the target of achieving $30 billion in trade between the two countries and noted that trade between Iran and Turkey has increased in 2024, with Turkish companies investing approximately $2 billion in Iran.

The Turkish trade minister also pointed out key topics such as the reconstruction and modernization of border crossings on the Turkish side and efforts to operationalize them. He further discussed facilitating and streamlining transportation between the two countries, as well as enhancing trade, transport, and transit relations. According to him, both sides have reached agreements on these matters.

Iran’s Minister of Roads Farzaneh Sadegh, heading a delegation, traveled to Ankara today (Monday, January 29) to participate in a bilateral meeting with the Turkish ministers of transport and trade.

On the sidelines of the event, Iranian Minister announced the formation of a joint committee aimed at addressing transportation issues between Iran and Turkey. She stated that these efforts will lead to progress in the agreements made, according to the roadmap set for 2025.

Sadegh made these remarks, during a one-day visit to Turkey. The visit was aimed at attending bilateral meetings with Turkey’s Ministers of Trade and Transport.

Following his meeting with Turkish Minister of Trade, Bolat, Sadegh congratulated the Iranian nation on the occasion of Eid al-Mab’ath and highlighted the achievements of the visit. He noted that less than a month ago, after several years, Iran hosted the Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission meeting.

He added that during the meeting, agreements were signed not only in the transportation sector but also in areas such as currency exchange, energy, customs, agriculture, and other mutual interests.

Sadegh stated that, given the seriousness of both parties in implementing the signed agreements, he traveled to Ankara, Turkey’s capital, and first met with the Turkish Minister of Trade.

The Minister of Roads and Urban Development further emphasized that one of the key issues discussed was facilitating transportation across the borders of both countries. He noted that due to the deep cultural and historical ties between Iran and Turkey, as well as their strategic position in transit, both countries benefit from bilateral cooperation.

He pointed out that discussions were held today on facilitating transit and customs procedures between the two countries, and significant decisions were made in these areas.

Sadegh announced the formation of a joint committee to follow up on transportation-related issues between the two countries, emphasizing that these efforts will lead to progress in the agreed terms as per the roadmap for 2025.

On December 12 of this year, a memorandum of understanding on Iran-Turkey trade cooperation was signed in the presence of Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Turkey’s Minister of Trade. Both sides reiterated their commitment to boosting bilateral trade to $30 billion over the next five years.