Sezer's Visit Would Significantly Develop Relations Between Turkey And Iran

TEHRAN (A.A) - 16.06.2002 - Turkish Ambassador in Tehran Selahattin Alpar has said that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's two-day visit to Iran which would begin on Monday would greatly contribute to Turkish-Iranian relations.
Alpar who held a press meeting on Sunday said that Sezer's visit upon the invitation of Iran Islamic Republic President Mohammed Khatami would be a visit at the highest level politically.
He stated that this visit would provide an opportunity for the relations to be improved more rapidly between the two countries.
Alpar who said that the agenda of international relations was related with the region where Turkey and Iran were located stressed that they considered the issues related to Iraq and Middle East and Afghanistan's rebuilding to be brought to the agenda as natural.
He said that Turkey considered Iran as a friendly and close country to itself in the region and added that it was also aware of Iran's political and economic importance.
Alpar stated that Turkey's foreign policy was to develop good relations in policy, security and economy with its neighbor countries.
He said that Turkey wanted friendly and cooperative ties with the neighbor countries.
Alpar went on to say that there were some problems on security issue between the two countries in the past and added that they saw that those mechanisms which they formed to remove the problems yielded very positive and beneficial results.
He said that all countries should cooperate in fight against terrorism after September 11 attacks in the United States.
Alpar added that they were also carrying out a very positive cooperation in that field with Iran.
Alpar stated that economic and commercial relations would be an important part of the topics to be discussed during Sezer's visit to Iran. He indicated that Turkey had about 500 million USD deficit in trade balance. ''Forming a commercial mechanism to remove this deficit is our main goal;'' he said.
Sezer will be accompanied with about 120 people including chamber heads of trade chambers of 30 cities. The first meeting of Turkish-Iranian Business Council will be held in Tehran and both president will make a short speech at the meeting.
Alpar said that Sezer would also attend the opening of the Turkish Language and Literature Department in Tehran's Allame Tabatabai University during his stay in the Iranian capital.
After Tehran, Sezer will go to Tabriz, capital of Western Azerbaijani State, Alpar said adding that developing relations with this city was important for the Turkish government.
Alpar remarked that Sezer's visit was delayed because of the elections in both countries and other international developments.
He also affirmed that the government and Sezer had full agreement about this visit.
When asked Israil, Palestine or U.S.-Iran relations would be taken up during the meetings, Alpar said that this wasn't on Sezer's program. ''Turkey's policy on this is very obvious and clear, and it is based on peace'' he continued. ''Turkey would never have such a bargain with a country that it is friends with. Turkey is a very important country in the region and it builds its interests on solid facts. It wouldn't be affected by the statements of other countries.''
''We share many things with Iran. There is no reason why we cannot get closer and build long term relations. We should remember that the 21st century is the age of peace and cooperation. Relations between Turkey and Iran would develop as long as both countries respect the rights of each other,'' he concluded.