Iranian ambassador calls for improved Turkish-Iranian trade ties

Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Bahman Hosseinpour said on Tuesday that Iran and Turkey, as two neighbors, can cooperate in industry and tourism. Paying a visit to the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO) in Izmir, Hosseinpour talked about economic relations between the two countries. "The bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Iran is currently at around $11 billion. Our commercial ties with Turkey have improved immensely in the past few months," he said. Husseinpour said, "We place great importance on healthy relations with Turkey, and Turkey's security and happiness leads to our happiness,” he said, noting that developing relations between Turkey and Iran would be the source of peace in the region. “Turkey and Iran can play an important role to this end based on their geography and history. At a time of global economic crisis, the two countries can facilitate great opportunities,” Husseinpour said. Stating that Iran would welcome Turkish entrepreneurs in its market, he called on businessmen to hurry and invest in Iran. "Iran imports via the Persian Gulf. I believe a portion of Iran's imports can come via Turkey," Hosseinpour said, adding, "Our relations are based on a ‘win-win' understanding. There is no loser. I think whatever we need in Iran, we can buy from Turkey."