TEHRAN, Iran, May 1
Trend:
Iran is to discuss trade ties with Turkey and issue of borders amid the coronavirus situation, the head of Iran and Turkey Joint Chamber of Commerce Mehrdad Saadat Dehgan told Trend.
"The situation on the border is the same, and based on the latest meeting with ministries and organizations including the Foreign Ministry, the Trade Promotion Organization and the Customs Administration of Iran, it is necessary to solve the pressing issues," he said.
"The producers do not want to lose their destination markets, therefore we have suggested a video conference with the Turkish Deputy Trade Minister next Monday," he added.
"The producers and transportation companies currently are in a difficult situation, so at the upcoming meeting many organizations will be present, to discuss the border and coronavirus issues," Dehgan said.
"We will try to solve the issue with the borders during this meeting and reach a mutual perspective with Turkey, although it does not mean the problem will get resolved," he added.
"Due to our strategic relations with Turkey it's important not to act hastily which might risk our previous efforts and we should not forget the support provide by the Turkish government and businessmen during the sanctions," Dehgan said.
"There have not been serious problems with private sector, and the private sectors of both countries are interacting with each other," he said.
"In terms of railway trade with Turkey there are no problems and export and import are ongoing between the two countries," Dehgan added.
"Regarding the issue of land border, the Bazargan border is Iran's most important border with Turkey. We do not have any trade with Turkey at the moment except the Sarisu border crossing market that mostly trades medical items and Iran has imported some cargos via this market," he said.
Iran continues to apply measures to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.
The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019.