Iran-Turkey Sign MoU On Expansion Of Agricultural Ties

Ankara, June 14, IRNA – Iran and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding on development of agricultural ties at the end of their 4th Joint Economic and Trade Commission, here on Wednesday. Iran's Agricultural Jihad Deputy Minister Jahngir Pourhemat and an advisor to Turkey Agriculture Minister Nahdad Pakdel singed the MoU. The two officials stressed the facilitation of execution of bilateral agreements in all fields after signing the MoU. An Iranian delegation headed by Minister of Agriculture Jihad Sadegh Khalilian was in Turkey on Wednesday for a one day official visit and to attend 4th Joint Economic and Trade Commission of Iran, Turkey. Khalilian conferred bilateral relations and in particular agricultural ties with Turkish Agriculture Minister Mehdi Aker, Turkish Minister of Development Cevdet Yilmaz as well as this country Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu. In his meeting with Turkish Minister of Development Cevdet Yilmaz, the Iranian minister underlined necessity of mutual agricultural cooperation and trade ties. Pointing to Iranian historical and cultural commonalities with Turkey, Khililian said Iran and Turkey are keen on developing ties so Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Vice-President for International Affairs Ali Saeedlou are to visit Turkey soon. Yilmaz welcomed Iranian delegation and expressed hope the consultations would help expand mutual ties in all fields of interests. 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. Turkey is one of the advocates of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program in the international community. In May 2010, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made an trip to Tehran in coordination with Brazilian President Lula da Silva to make an agreement to outsource Iranian uranium enrichment to his country to avoid further sanctions on Iran. Turkey has been also host to two rounds of Iran and G5+1 talks./end