Iran, Key Partner For Turkey: Turkish official

Hamedan, May 29, IRNA – Iran is an important international oil producer and a good partner and ties with Tehran are very important to Ankara, Turkey's Charge d’Affairs Bilal Amreh Biral said here Monday. He made the remark in a meeting with Iranian economic activists in Hamedan. “Iran is a rich country for its oil and natural gas resources; Iran with its 75 million people has also a good market for the Turkish goods; Iran’s exports to Turkey stand at the rank of top five among all other exporters; Turkey exports equipments, steel and home appliance to Iran and imports natural gas and oil from Iran.” The official noted that Turkey has absorbed 110 dlrs billion investment in bilateral exchanges with Iran during the years of 2003 to 2011 adding that Tehran is the fourth country among the destination countries of Turkish exports. Iran and Turkey cooperate in a wide variety of fields that range from fighting terrorism, drug trafficking, and promoting stability in Iraq and Central Asia. Iran and Turkey also have very close trade and economic relations. Both countries are part of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Turkey receives many Iranian tourists each year and economically benefits from Iranian tourism./end