Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 17
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized mutual cooperation between Iran and Turkey in fighting terrorism and extremism, the State IRINN TV reported Dec. 17.
Zarif made the remarks during a joint conference with visiting Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavushoglu in Tehran.
The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that Cavushoglu's visit to Tehran was the beginning of a more "dynamic process of boosting bilateral ties between the two countries."
Zarif added that minor issues in bilateral relations can be easily solved.
Turkey and Iran have different views about the Syrian issue, with the latter notable for being one of the most important supporters of the Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria whereas Turkey supports the Syrian opposition.
Zarif said that the sides intend to boost mutual economic ties, adding that the current level of trade turnover is planned to reach $30 billion per year.
The two sides earlier announced that the figure will be achieved by 2015.
Iran and Turkey signed 10 economic agreements during a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the head of a high-ranking delegation to Turkey in June.
The trade turnover between Iran and Turkey in the first half of 2014 stood at $6.5 billion, according to data released by Turkish Statistical Institute. The trade turnover between Turkey and Iran stood at $22 billion in 2012 before dipping to $14.5 billion in the following year due to the economic sanctions imposed on Tehran by the West
Iranian FM also expressed hope that the recent differences between the sides over truck transit fees would be resolved as soon as possible.
Iran and Turkey's different understanding over truck transit fees remains unresolved. Over the past years, Iran has been charging a $750 transit fee for the trucks entering the country from Turkey, while the Iranian trucks were entering Turkey for free. Following that Turkey imposed a similar fee on Iranian trucks. But the Islamic Republic increased the fee to $1,500 on October 10.
The Iranian officials said that under an agreement signed with Turkey a few decades ago, the two sides may charge a transit fee only if there is a difference in fuel prices in the two countries.
Turkish Transport, Maritime and Communication Minister Lutfi Elvan has said that Turkey respects all agreements with Iran, adding that Tehran's response should be similar.
Edited by CN
Umid Niayesh is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow him on Twitter:@UmidNiayesh