GURBULAK - Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on Friday that Iran attributed great importance to development of relations with neighbor countries especially with Turkey in its foreign policy.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Gurbulak Border Gate which was renovated by International Transporters Association, Aref thanked Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish officials for their hospitality.
Stating that the project would bring benefits to both countries, Aref said that Iran-Turkey natural gas pipeline project which had been put into practice in 2001, Bazargan border gate which had started to operate in 1999 and facilities of Bazargan which were opened today indicated that there was political will for further improvement of economic ties between the two countries.
Aref said that a country could not have prosperity, stability and development alone and noted that countries could have those factors thanks to joint cooperation at international level.
Aref noted that Iran attributed great importance to development of relations with neighbor countries especially with Turkey in its foreign policy and stressed that Iran was ready to put forth its potential and capabilities for development of economic structure of the country.
Stating that when taking into consideration of current potential of the two countries, current trade volume was not sufficient, Aref said that he believed that committees dealing with trade and joint economic commission had responsibilities on trade volume to reach a desired level.
Aref said that he supported Prime Minister Erdogan's proposal that trade volume should be increased to 5 billion U.S. dollars during the meeting of 17th Joint Economic Commission.
(EÖ-AY) 30.05.2003