Turkey and Iran open new border crossing

SARAY (A.A) – 16.04.2011 – Turkey and Iran opened on Saturday a new border crossing in a move to cement ties and boost trade.
The Kapikoy-Razi border crossing has been inaugurated at a ceremony attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, State Minister Hayati Yazici, Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Deputy Vice President Ali Agha Mohammadi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Davutoglu said, "today, we would like to announce that Turkey and Iran will be friends forever."
Davutoglu said that Turkish government has been following a policy of "zero problem with neighbors" over the past eight years to deepen friendship and make the brotherhood stronger.
"That's why customs gates are not walls for us, but they are gates of brotherhood," he said. 
Davutoglu also heralded opening of two more border crossings between the two countries, saying Esendere-Sero crossing will open in June, and Maku crossing will follow.
"So, all the border crossings between Turkey and Iran will be opened and historical friendship will be cemented and it will pass to next generations," he said.
Trade between Turkey and Iran exceeded 10 billion USD. Turkish and Iranian governments have set a target to make it 30 billion USD during recent talks. 
"We are opening these gates to achieve that target," Davutoglu said.
For his part, Salehi said that Turkey and Iran were a unique example of how two neighbors share a lot in terms of culture and language. 
"We must benefit from these humanitarian and cultural investments. Our duty, as officials, is to move forward these common values," Salehi said.
Salehi also expressed hope to achieve the 30 billion USD trade target and said, "the future of Turkey and Iran is bright."
Following the ceremony, Davutoglu and Salehi headed to Iran for the three-way meeting of foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan.