Photos: Turkish PM visits Iran to discuss regional issues, trade

on March 5, 2022 | 9:29:03

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu arrived in Tehran Friday night for a two-day official visit.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Davutoglu is due to hold talks with senior Iranian officials on ways to strengthen all-out mutual relations and the latest developments in the Middle East region.

At a press conference in Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Davutoglu said relations between Turkey and Iran are crucial for the region, especially since the Middle East is passing through a very difficult time.

Davutoglu said Syria and Iraq would be the focus of his visit, despite the fact that Ankara and Tehran see events in the region from a different perspective.

This is Davutoglu’s first visit to Iran as prime minister and the first visit of a Turkish premier in Tehran within the last two years.

The visit comes about a month-and-a-half after the U.S. and EU announced the lifting of international sanctions on Iran following the International Atomic Energy Agency’s declaration that the country is complying with its nuclear-related obligations agreed last summer.

Davutoglu said Turkey and Iran have “a trade volume of about $10 billion; our goal is to take it to $30 billion”.

He highlighted the potential for further cooperation between the two countries, especially with Iran being an important energy producer and Turkey positioned as a key energy passage line providing country.

Davutoglu said the nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the world powers group, P5 + 1, satisfied Turkey. “The integration of Iran in the international market offers new opportunities, more than all to Turkey, which has a big production capacity,” he added.

Turkey and Iran share a 650 kilometer (404 mile) long border, which has not changed since the last three centuries, Davutoglu said.

He said that both sides desired friendly and neighborly relations given their deep-rooted historical bonds.

Davutoglu will meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and Foreign Minister Mohmmad Javad Zarif during his visit.

Newsfultoncounty contributed to this report

Photos: Turkish PM Davutoglu arrived in Tehran Friday night for a two-day official visit