Iran Envoy To Turkey: Saboteurs Trying To Disturb Bilateral Ties

Ankara, April 13, IRNA – New Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to Ankara, Ali-Reza Bigdeli, said here Friday that saboteurs are trying their best to disturb the brotherly and excellent bilateral relations and cooperation of Iran and Turkey. Ambassador Bigdeli made the comment while he was visiting the national Turkish daily, the Gazette in Ankara. He emphasized that in accordance with his mission in Ankara, he favors the involvement of the mass media of both countries in efforts aimed at the improvement of bilateral relations, adding, ˈRelations between Iran and Turkey are very broad scaled and the hegemonic countries are monitoring them with high sensitivity, and in order to continue our friendly relations successfully, we need to spare no effort and do all our best.ˈ Bigdeli emphasized that the historical relations of the two countries coupled by their improvement during the past couple of decades are truly unique, adding, ˈYet, there is still lots of unused potentials in both countries for the further expansion of bilateral ties and cooperation.ˈ He referred to the scheduled target appointment for improvement of bilateral trade, saying, ˈThe volume of bilateral trade is scheduled to reach 35 billion US dollars in the year 2015 and parallel with that, the joint investments and cooperation, too, would expand.ˈ He referred to the cultural capacities of the two ancient countries for bilateral cultural works, saying, ˈThere is already a good volume of fruitful cooperation between the elite scientists and literary personalities of the two countries, which is very pleasant for us, and our mission is elimination of the obstacles and the hindrances in this way, and further promotion of such beautiful bilateral activities.ˈ Ambassador Bigdeli referred to the bitter events taking place in Syria, arguing, ˈIn order to solve the Syrian crisis consultations and close cooperation between Iran and Turkey is quite necessary and the needed steps in that respect must be taken jointly.ˈ The Iranian Ambassador to Turkey reiterated, ˈThe saboteurs are trying hard to disturb the friendly and fruitful Tehran-Istanbul relations resorting to Syria issue, but I know they would never achieve their goal in this respect.ˈ Bigdeli added, ˈTurkey and Syria enjoyed very good relations up to two and a half hears ago and during that period Turkey had excellent relations with the Damascus Government, while Iranˈs relations with both Ankara and the Syrian Government were excellent.ˈ He added, ˈIran and Turkey, in line with their national interests, can very easily reach full consensus over the Syrian issue, and we have already proved our potential in this respect. The two countries do not need to compete in this respect, and the efforts made against Tehran-Ankara cooperation over crisis solving in Syria, are in our opinion plots hatched by saboteurs.ˈ Bigdeli referred to the joint objectives of Iran and Turkey in the Middle East, arguing, ˈThe establishment of peace and stability in the region is definitely in the interest of Iran and Turkey, as well as the entire other regional nations, but the enemies, in line with their own illegitimate interests in the region and the nasty benefits, favor and promote instability and war in our region.ˈ In May 2010, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan made an unscheduled 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. In supporting Iran after the agreement Erdogan turned the question back on the international community. ˈIn fact, there is no nuclear weapon in Iran now, but Israel, which is also located in our region, possesses nuclear arms. Turkey is the same distance from both of them. What has the international community said against Israel so far? Is this the superiority of law or the law of superiors?ˈ This comes after growing pressure from the US and the UK to support sanctions against Iran. The decision of Turkey to host a radar system to track missiles launched from Iran has been seen by the Iranians as a serious break in relations. 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. Bilateral trade between the nations is increasing. In 2005, the trade increased to $4 billion from $1 billion in 2000. Iran’s gas export to Turkey is likely to be increased. At present, the rate is at 50mm cm/d. Turkey imports about 10 billion cubic meters a year of gas from Iran, about 30 percent of its needs. Turkey plans to invest $12 billion in developing phases 22, 23 and 24 of South Pars gas field, a senior Iranian oil official told Shana.ir. Two-way trade is now in the range of $10 billion (2010), and both governments have announced that the figure should reach the $20 billion mark in the not too distant future. 50 percent of the gas from three phases of Iran’s South Pars gas field will be re-exported to Europe. Turkey has won the tender for privatization of Razi Petrochemical Complex valued at $650 million (2008). On tourism, every year one million Iranians visit Turkey. First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi announced in October 2012 that the speed of trade exchanges between Iran and Turkey has accelerated and was close of reaching the goal of 30 billion dollars per year. He added that the growing trade relations between Tehran and Ankara indicate the two countries’ willingness to strengthen mutual ties. Courtesy: Wikipedia for the background on bilateral ties/end