Sunday, 25 October 2009
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed pleasure over the level of cooperation with Iran in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.
"Cooperation with Iran in dealing with terrorism will continue," Erdogan told a news conference before leaving for Pakistan on a formal visit. Erdogan said he would proceed to Iran following his talks in Pakistan.
"The visit will take place upon an invitation by Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi," Erdogan said, underlining that the visit was very important for regional relations.
Referring to his visit to Iran, Erdogan said, "this visit provides opportunities to the parties to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international matters. Frequency of mutual visits in the recent period is an indication of developing relations between Turkey and Iran."
Erdogan said Turkey targeted to raise bilateral trade volume to 20 billion USD in 2011, noting that Iran ranked the second after the Russian Federation in Turkey's natural gas supply. He said works would also be initiated on electricity energy.
Erdogan said Iran would be the transit point in shipment of natural gas that would be purchased from Turkmenistan. Erdogan said Turkey's stance towards weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons in the region was clear, "Turkey does not consider as positive the steps made by any country regarding nuclear weapons. Most particularly, Turkey's sensitivity on the issue in its region is very clear."
"Turkey is resolved to maintain joint efforts with its neighbor Iran in every level for the stability and development of the region," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said he would attend Turkey-Iran Business Forum and meet foreign and local media within the scope of the visit to Iran.
