Gul: Turkey Favors Diplomatic Solution To Problem Regarding Iran's Nuclear Program

ISTANBUL - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that Turkey favored a diplomatic solution to the problem regarding Iran`s nuclear program.
Holding a joint press conference with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Istanbul, Gul said, "the solution should take into consideration the uneasiness of international community as well as it should protect Iran`s legitimate rights within the scope of the treaty on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons."
Gul also said that during the meeting, they confirmed the target to increase the trade volume between Turkey and Iran to 20 billion USD in a short time. He added that Turkish State Minister Mehmet Simsek and Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Motaki would discuss the trade volume in a detailed way in the 20th term joint economic commission meeting which would take place in Tehran ten days later.
"We also agreed to celebrate 2009 as Turkey-Iran Culture Year which will be the 50th anniversary of signing culture agreement between the two countries," he said.
(GC)
(DIP)