Iran Pursuing Resumption of Trade Ties with Turkey
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has traveled to Turkey for talks to resume trade relations affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Istanbul on Sunday evening, Zarif said bilateral economic relations and regional issues are among the main topics to be discussed during his visit.
“I deemed it necessary to pay a visit to Turkey (for talks) in relation to the bilateral issues, resumption of economic relations that have faced problems due to the coronavirus, energy cooperation and regional issues,” he said.
Hailing the close interaction between Tehran and Ankara, Zarif stressed the need for constant consultations in various fields.
“Relations with neighbors is a foreign policy priority for us and our region, that’s why I paid a visit to Syria after the new conditions of the coronavirus outbreak, and I’m so glad now to visit Turkey,” the Iranian foreign minister added.
In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in April, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the Iranian government and nation’s “valuable” coronavirus fight despite the problems they are facing, stressing that trade between the two countries should continue in accordance with health guidelines and that officials must work toward that aim.
In early May, an Iranian deputy interior minister said Tehran has provided Ankara with a draft proposal for the health protocols on the reopening of the common border crossings which have been shut after the coronavirus outbreak, and on the resumption of bilateral trade exchanges.
