Iran-Turkey Political Experts Hold Joint Meeting

Ankara, Feb 8, IRNA – The 8th meeting between Iranian and Turkish experts on political issues started in Istanbul on Friday. Experts from Iranˈs Foreign Ministry Institute for Political and International Studies and the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM) are attending the meeting. The meeting is co-chaired by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hadi Soleimanpour and head of Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies, Suleyman Sensoy. The Iranian delegation includes veteran diplomats such as the former foreign minister Manouchehr Mottakiand Iranˈs former ambassador to Ankara. The first meeting of Iranian and Turkish political experts was held in Istanbul on November 12, 2008. Ever since, the two countries have been regularly holding such a meeting annually in Tehran and Istanbul. The meeting is aimed at reviewing economic relations, energy policies and the November nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1. Both sides will also explore ways to broaden ties with international organizations, such as the European Union, D-8 and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Pointing out that the meeting comes after a nuclear deal between Iran and the West and the establishment of a new moderate government in Iran, Sensoy said it provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss issues of mutual interest. He added that Iran and Turkey, as two neighboring countries with deep historical relations, attach special significance to bilateral relations./end