ISTANBUL - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that Iran was pleased with Turkey`s development and being strong.
Holding a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Istanbul, Ahmadinejad said that Iran and Turkey were two large and strong countries in the region and they were influential in regional and international matters.
He said that they were planning to increase the trade volume between Turkey and Iran to 20 billion USD within four years.
Ahmadinejad said that Turkey and Iran would celebrate 2009 as joint culture year which would help peoples of both countries to learn cultures and civilizations of each other better.
Ahmadinejad said that Turkey and Iran would cooperate in fight against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.
Regarding Iraq issue, Ahmadinejad said that protection of territorial integrity of Iraq would be for the interest of both Turkey and Iran, adding that Iran supported the political process in Iraq.
Regarding Iran`s nuclear program, Ahmadinejad said that dialogue was the best way, and Iran was always ready for dialogue to solve this issue. He also said that Iran welcomed the negotiation process which started in Geneva.
(GC)
(DIP)