Rouhani calls for more effort to realize $30bn trade target with Turkey

Speaking on Thursday evening at the 5th Meeting of the High Council for Iran-Turkey Strategic Cooperation, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani referred to the transit potentials of the two countries, saying “the capacities in this field are such that we can transform the East-West transit route with joint investment.”

Rouhani attached great importance to connecting Iranian railways to Lake Van and creating diversification in rail lines with joint investment in developing bilateral trade relations between the two countries and the region, adding “development of railways can be in the interests of two nations and peoples of the region”.

The president stressed continued cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug trafficking, organised crimes and uncontrolled immigration.

Rouhani also emphasised the promotion of cultural and touristic relations between the two countries and said, “closer ties between the two cities of Khoy and Konya can be achieved due to the presence of great poets such as Shams and Mowlana, who are the historic honours of the two nations and the entire region.”

The president also referred to the bilateral and tripartite cooperation between Iran and Turkey in the process of negotiations with Russia and said, “the talks have been successful and necessary for the process of stabilisation of security, return of refugees, preservation of territorial integrity, drafting of the constitution and the formation of a government to continue through the will of the people.”

The president also mentioned the severe conditions of the oppressed Yemeni people and the need to help establish lasting peace in the country, saying, “Turkey can play a role in the Yemeni-Yemeni negotiations and peace process and increase humanitarian assistance to Yemenis.”

The president also called for speeding up the formation of a customs route and said “we are determined to support the activities of the private sectors of the two countries and to resolve possible problems.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood by the people and government of Turkey on tough days, and today, we are pleased to see the government and the people of Turkey alongside the Islamic Republic of Iran during the imposition of illegal and unjust sanctions of the American government against Iran,” Rouhani stated.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for his part, referred to the holding of the 5th Meeting of High Council of Iran-Turkey Strategic Cooperation at a time when the United States has imposed sanctions against Iran.

He said that the past four meetings, good decisions were made to develop relations in different areas. “Today, we are determined to implement preferential trade to enable all cooperation capacities,” he added.

The Turkish president continued, “US actions and sanctions have had a negative and destructive impact on the foreign trade of the two countries, but we will minimize its consequences.”

Stressing that Turkey has always been opposed to US unilateral sanctions, Erdoğan said, “Turkey considers Iran’s security and stability as its own security and stability.”

“Iran, Turkey and Russia cooperation is an example of successful cooperation for sustainable peace in the region,” he added.