Iran, Turkey to hold 8th Supreme Economic Cooperation Council

Concurrent with the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of Turkey on October 29, Mehrdad Bazrpash went to the Turkish Embassy in Tehran and thereby negotiated over promoting bilateral ties including the holding of the 8th Iran-Turkey Supreme Council of Economic Cooperation in the near future.

At the invitation of the ambassador of Turkey in Tehran, Mehrdad Bazarpash gave a speech on the occasion of Republic Day of Turkey at the Turkish Embassy in Tehran regarding the expansion of bilateral relations and strengthening of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in all fields, particularly transport cooperation.

Addressing the ambassador of Turkey, Hicabi Kırlangıç, as well as members of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Tehran, Bazrpash congratulated the National Day of the Republic of Turkey to the government and people of Turkey, and honored the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic in Turkey.

Bazrpash informed that, in the near future, Iran's President will visit Ankara to attend the 8th meeting of the Iran-Turkey Supreme Council of Economic Cooperation for promoting bilateral relations.

He also expressed hope to hold the 29th Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Cooperation Commission in Tehran with the presence of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey, Osman Aşkın Bak, who is in charge of the Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission.

Bazarpash, as the head of the 'Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission', expressed hope for the expansion of bilateral relations in all political, economic, commercial, scientific, and cultural arenas.

Bazrpash explained that Iran's Government attaches great importance to the development of comprehensive relations with its neighbors in the framework of the neighborhood policy and the Republic of Turkey has a special place and importance.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey pursue the development and deepening of bilateral relations with strong political determination, Bazrpash emphasized.

He continued, "The cooperation of the two great powers of the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey, in addition to maintaining mutual interests of the two countries, can bring peace, stability, security, development, and prosperity in the region."

According to Bazerpash, these two neighboring countries have many cultural and religious commonalities, are located on the historical Silk Road, and played an effective role in regional affairs.

Referring to the statistics, Bazarpash said, "According to the report of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, the volume of trade between Iran and Turkey has increased to $13.4 billion; however, considering the high potentials of the two countries and the geopolitical and geoeconomic position of the two countries, this volume of trade between the two countries is yet far from the target of $30 billion."

He added that Iran and Turkey play a complementary role in almost all economic and commercial fields and cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy and electricity, in addition to meeting mutual needs, can provide a platform for regional cooperation.

In addition to trade, the geographic location of the two countries has provided a precious opportunity for cooperation and synergy in transport, and fortunately, the authorities of the two countries have recognized this importance and aim for closer cooperation for completing the East-West and North-South transport corridors, he added while stating that for about 400 years, Iran-Turkey border has been a border of friendship, brotherhood, peace and stability, and God willing, it will continue to be so.

Condemning crimes in Gaza committed by the Zionist regime in the killing of innocent Palestinian people, as the head of the 'Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission', Bazrpash appreciated the support and stances of Turkey for the oppressed people of Palestine in condemning the crimes of the occupiers. He expressed hope that the efforts of Iran and Turkey, along with other Muslim governments and nations, will bring an end to the genocide in Gaza and an end to the war crimes of the Zionist occupiers in Palestine.

In the end, Bazarpash prayed for health, prosperity, happiness, and progress for the entire Muslim world and especially for the people of the two countries.

Turkey is the third trading partner of the Islamic Republic of Iran in exports and imports, and the volume of trade between the two countries has been increasing after the pandemic.

Previously in July 2022, Tehran hosted the seventh meeting of the Iran-Turkey Supreme Council of Economic Cooperation when Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and other high-ranking officials met to discuss solutions to improve relations between Tehran and Ankara in various areas. Then, the Presidents of Iran and Turkey emphasized accelerating the implementation of agreements reached between the two countries in economic, infrastructure, security, political, cultural, and sports affairs. / MEHR