Iran, Turkey to increase trade exchanges

Hosseinpour put the volume of Iran-Turkey trade at more than $16 billion, and said the figure is expected to reach close to $30 billion in the near future. Addressing a meeting of Iranian physicians in Ankara, he pointed to recent visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Teyyip Erodgan to Tehran, saying, "I should say that was the most successful visit of Erdogan to Iran but certain people in Turkey were making conspiracy to question success of the visit." He said relations between the two countries are in the highest level and are expanding despite difference of opinion between Iranian and Turkish officials on certain subjects, including Syria. Iran and Turkey have in recent years increased their cooperation in all the various fields of economy, security, trade, education, energy and culture. The two sides have exchanged several politico-economic delegations during the last few months. Erdogan arrived in Tehran on March 28 to discuss bilateral ties and cooperation in meetings with senior Iranian officials. During his two-day visit, Erdogan conferred with senior Iranian officials on matters of mutual interest as well as regional and international developments.