Iranian ambassador calls Tehran-Ankara ties exemplary

TEHRAN,Feb.18(MNA) –Iran’s ambassador to Ankara said expansion of economic relations between Iran and Turkey has paved the ground for closer ties in other areas as well. The outgoing ambassador, Bahman Hosseinpour, made the remarks during a farewell ceremony in Ankara on Saturday. Ambassador Hosseinpour described relations between Tehran and Ankara as “exemplary”, noting that the volume of trade ties increased from $5 billion to $23 billion by the end of 2012. The boost in economic relations has resulted in expansion of ties in political and cultural areas, he added. Hosseinpour also said unity between Iran and Turkey, as two “influential” countries in the region, can help resolve many regional issues. Iran and Turkey are members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Turkey receives many Iranian tourists each year. According to official data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute in November 2012, Iran was the third major trade partner of Turkey in the first three quarters of 2012, Press TV reported. Turkey’s imports from Iran hit their highest monthly total in March 2012, reaching over $1.63 billion. Likewise, the highest monthly exports from Turkey to Iran were recorded in July 2012 at more than $2.15 billion. The two countries plan to increase their trade ties to $30 billion by 2015.