Iran-Turkey Cooperation Can Help Resolve Regional Issues: VP
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri underlined that closer ties between Tehran and Ankara can play a major role in resolving the problems facing the region.
"The development of cooperation between Iran and Turkey is a step toward resolving the Muslim world’s issues and can thwart the Zionists' plot to spread Islamophobia in the world," Jahangiri said in a Sunday meeting with Turkish Development Minister Cevdet Yilmaz in Tehran.
He also pointed to the historical ties and the commonalities between the two neighboring countries, saying that Iran sees no limits to the promotion of ties with Turkey in various fields.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Jahangiri stressed the need for enhancing bilateral trade relations and said Tehran is willing to remove obstacles in the way of joint cooperation in various spheres, including energy as well as railroad and road transportation.
Yilmaz, for his part, described the expansion of Tehran-Ankara ties as "vital" for the establishment of peace in the region, saying that the two neighbors' relations can serve the interests of regional nations.
Earlier in January, Yilmaz and Iran's minister of communications explored avenues for strengthening economic relations between Tehran and Ankara.
The Iranian and Turkish officials emphasized the need to follow up the implementation of deals signed in the first meeting of Strategic Cooperation Council in Turkey.
The two neighbors have plans to hike up the volume of their trade exchange to $30 billion by 2015.