Alireza: Iran-Turkey relations helping regional stability

Tehran's Envoy to Ankara Alireza Bigdeli lauded the close ties between Iran and Turkey, and stressed that the relations between the two neighboring countries will help to the consolidation of regional stability and security.Bigdeli made the remarks in a meeting with Deputy Head of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party Moloud Chavosh Uglu in Ankara on Monday.The Iranian envoy pointed to efforts underway by certain foreign countries to create a chaotic situation in the region, and said, "There is a dire need for remaining alert about the plots hatched by those countries which are after creating crisis in the region and destabilizing the regional countries."Chavosh Uglu, for his part, pointed to the continuous historical status of peace and stability in the common border regions of Iran and Turkey, and said that he agrees with the Iranian ambassador over the point that there is dire need for continuous dialogue and consultations over regional developments, despite existence of differences of opinion over certain issues.Iran and Turkey have recently expanded their bilateral relations, especially in trade and energy fields. Trade between Turkey and Iran has risen sharply over the past decade.Also, Turkey was Iran's fifth-largest oil customer in 2011, buying around 200,000 barrels per day, 30 percent of its total imports and more than 7 percent of Iran's oil exports.The two countries officials stressed the necessity for stronger relations and pursuing the planned increase of mutual trade to $30bln by 2015