Iran’s roads minister reaffirms economic cooperation with Turkey
Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeq-Malvajerd met with Turkey’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat in Ankara on Monday, stressing the importance of enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.
Sadeq-Malvajerd expressed gratitude for Turkey’s hospitality and highlighted the significance of strengthening ties between the two neighboring countries stating that fostering constructive relations and boosting joint economic collaboration are among the top priorities of the Iranian government in its regional engagements, IRNA wrote.
As the Iranian head of the Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, Sadeq-Malvajers noted that the commission was recently convened in Iran after years of hiatus.
She emphasized her personal commitment to advancing mutual agreements and taking concrete steps to implement them.
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat welcomed the Iranian minister and her delegation to Ankara, expressing satisfaction with the ongoing negotiations under the framework of the joint commission.
He affirmed that both countries are working to expand bilateral relations and expressed confidence that Sadeq-Malvajerd’s visit as the head of the joint economic commission would further solidify economic cooperation.
Bolat said that Turkey and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in trade, customs, agriculture, investments, finance, transportation, and tourism in Tehran last year.
“Turkey’s exports to Iran soared approximately $500 million, while Turkish investors have invested over $2 billion in Iran so far, we see that trade is mutually accelerating as investments increase,” said Bolat.
The minister mentioned that joint committees between his country and Iran meet regularly to discuss transportation.
Bolat said that the modernization of the Kapikoy Border Gate in the southeastern city of Van, bordering Iran, will be achieved with some arrangements to be made on the Iranian side, and the Sarisu transboundary trade center is waiting to be opened. Following the meeting, Sadeq-Malvajerd addressed reporters, underscoring the long-standing constructive relationship between Iran and Turkey.
She mentioned that her visit to Turkey comes shortly after the joint economic commission’s meeting in Tehran, reflecting the seriousness of both nations in advancing their shared goals.
The minister also highlighted that the commission’s recent session in Iran, after years of hiatus, marks a renewed commitment to addressing mutual interests.
She also reiterated the annual target of $30 billion in trade exchanges between the two countries.
The Iranian minister pointed out that discussions during the meeting focused on removing barriers to cooperation, particularly in transportation and transit. “Agreements were reached to facilitate smoother and more cost-effective movement of Turkish and Iranian fleets.”
Sadeq-Malvajerd expressed hope that a comprehensive framework for bilateral cooperation in transportation and transit would be finalized within the next three months, paving the way for structured collaboration.