ANKARA (A.A) - 17.06.2002 - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer left for eastern Kars province on Monday to attend a ceremony entitled ''Fight Against Desertification in World'' that will take place in Igdir township of Kars province. Sezer will later proceed to Iran for an official visit following the ceremony.
Speaking at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Sezer said he would have the opportunity to evaluate bilateral relations together with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.
Sezer said Turkey attributed importance to friendship and cooperation with Iran, noting that positive developments were recorded in relations with Iran in the recent years based on good neighborhood and not interfering to each others' internal affairs.
Pointing out that Turkey was pleased over this, Sezer said Turkey wanted to improve relations with Iran in every field.
Sezer said, ''we will focus on improving cooperation particularly in economy and trade. Mr. Khatami and I will attend opening of first meeting of Turkish-Iranian Business Council, which was set up last year. We believe that the Business Council will play important roles in improvement of economic and trade relations between Turkey and Iran.''
Recalling that they agreed with the Iranian authorities pertaining to the establishment of Turkish Language and Literature Department in one of the biggest universities of Tehran, Sezer said he would also attend inauguration ceremony of this department.
Sezer said, ''we will exchange views about the regional developments in which Turkey and Iran are located, and the international developments following September 11 terrorist attacks. We will find the opportunity to review the contributions which our countries could together make to the regional peace, stability and prosperity.''
Pointing out that relations with Iran also improved in bilateral level and within the framework of international organizations like Organization for Islamic Conference and Economic Cooperation Organization, Sezer said they would also focus on the arrangement of activities of Economic Cooperation Organization which will yield in beneficial results.
Sezer is expected to return to Turkey on Tuesday evening.
State Minister Mehmet Kececiler accompanies President Sezer's visit to Iran.