Iran’s ambassador to Turkey: A new border gate will be opened soon

According to the international group Tasnim News Agency, Mohammad Hassan Habibullahzadeh, Iran’s ambassador to Turkey in In an interview with the Turkish NTV television channel, regarding the relations between Iran and Turkey, he said: Turkey and Iran have a relationship that is thousands of years old. We live in the same area. One of the examples of stability in the border region is several hundred years old. Of course, there are also meetings between high-ranking officials. On January 24, our country’s president visited Ankara at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 2025 was chosen as the cultural year of Iran and Turkey.

He added: Political, economic, cultural issues and many other fields were discussed.

The Iranian ambassador stated that from Since both Iran and Turkey are part of the Astana agreement process, we also talked about the situation in Syria in the political context, he said: We also talked about the fight against terrorism and Islamophobia. The crimes committed against the Palestinians in Gaza were also among the topics discussed.

Habibullahzadeh continued: In addition to regional mechanisms, issues related to bilateral relations were also on our agenda. I can say that we can improve and increase cooperation in many fields such as economic issues. We also signed 10 documents during this visit. Likewise, we agreed to name 2025 as the “Cultural Year of Iran and Turkey”. /span>

He also said about setting a target of 30 billion dollars in economic relations between the two countries: Of course, we are currently meeting the target trade volume set by our leaders. We have a long distance. For last year, our official trade figure is 12 billion dollars. These are the official statistics obtained from the customs and the Ministry of Commerce, but it can be said that this figure is slightly higher. Millions of tourists have visited Turkey and each of them spends money here. We can discuss an additional amount of 3-4 billion dollars. If we also consider trade in border areas, it can be said that this figure has exceeded 12 billion dollars. Therefore, it can be admitted that the unofficial figure is higher.

The Iranian ambassador continued: The scope of trade negotiations between Turkey and Iran is very wide. In addition to transport, agriculture, science and technology, environment and tourism, we also talked about free trade zone, duty-free border trade and new border gates. We expect that after this trip, practical measures will be taken in connection with each of these issues. In addition, in the field of energy, Iran supplies part of Turkey’s natural gas needs. Ensuring the security of energy supply will benefit both countries.

Habibollahzadeh in another part of his speech stated that Iran and Turkey were connected to each other through railways in 1971. , said: We are discussing almost half a century ago. Of course, here we can talk about the volume of very large transactions. In the past years, we have been able to connect to the railways of Pakistan and Central Asia. We named the Iran-Turkey-Pakistan railway “Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad”. This rail project is realized with the support of regional institutions. Connecting Central Asia, Pakistan, Iran to Turkey and through Turkey, connecting to Europe will provide a huge opportunity. This project will become an important transit route. In this way, we signed our agreement to develop our cooperation, especially at the Razi/Kapikoi border gate.

He also stated about the border gates between the two countries: Are important. Bazargan-Gorbalag border crossing is the oldest border gate between the two countries, which was opened almost a century ago. We need to expand our border gates further. There is a great demand for the exchange of transit goods and increased trade between the two countries, as well as the transportation of passengers and tourists. For this reason, the renovation of the border gates will benefit both sides.

The ambassador of our country continued: We have started the renovation works on the Razi-Kapikoi side and are continuing. We hope that the reconstruction works of Gurblag merchants will be finished before the summer and the gate will be put into operation.

A new border gate will soon will be opened

The work at the Kuze Resh-Glinjak border gate is in the final stage. In this way, the number of border crossings will increase from 3 to 4. Then we go to the final stage. There is a lot of traffic in the border area. Last year, about one million three hundred thousand people passed through Razi-Kapikoi border gate, which is not enough to meet the total demand. We decided to open a new gate for tourism, business, trucks and buses. I think this work will be completed within 2-3 years. Kurd

The ambassador of our country in another part of his speech regarding the developments in the region and the attacks carried out by the Islamic resistance in the region on American bases and interests and also the possibility of a military attack on Iranian soil, which is raised by some in America, said: We have stated many times that Iran has nothing to do with these attacks. I need to say this clearly once again in official and unofficial channels. Second, we live in this area. For this reason, peace, stability and prosperity are very important for Iran, its neighbors and the region.

Did you come to our area? Why do you come here? Why did you occupy the territories or rather the neighboring countries, why did you start two or three wars in this region? Of course, we know that now is the election season. I can also understand that some statements and some rhetoric would be politically appealing to them. But it is necessary to emphasize once again: Iran does not support any war and conflict. We do not want war or conflict. But as we have shown throughout history, we will not hesitate to respond to any aggression against us. America and England also told different cities in Yemen: As I said in response to your previous question, we do not want war and conflict in this region. Yemenis make their own decisions. There may be shared views on some positions such as the events in Gaza, including the positions towards the occupation, we may have shared views on these matters, but we do not want war in any way. We have nothing to do with their decision making process. They make their own decisions.

Habibollahzadeh continued: However, I must say, we are living in very strange and difficult times. For more than 120 days, the Palestinian people in Gaza have been facing very bad bombings and attacks. More than 27 thousand innocent people lost their lives. An area with a population of 2 million has been completely destroyed. But no one cares about them, no one helps them. But when Yemen tried to help and support the people of Gaza, they sent their warships to protect the interests of the Israeli regime under the pretext that their business is in danger. In the name of free trade! This issue is very worthy of attention. Iran is against any unilateral foreign adventure in the region. We think that this is a worrying threat to international security and stability in this region. Iran’s ambassador also said about the possibility of a cease-fire in Gaza: Iran will use all diplomatic efforts. And the international will support to stop the slaughter of Gaza, prevent the slaughter of the Palestinian people and achieve a ceasefire. But you can see who are against the truce and peace. The Palestinian people have witnessed many political processes since 1948. The world has witnessed various decisions of the United Nations Security Council and the international community. But at the same time, step by step, we have witnessed more and more occupation in their lands and the increase of Israeli settlers in the occupied areas. Recently, you heard that this regime openly admits that it is not ready to recognize the independence of Palestine. This is the situation we are facing today.

Habibollahzadeh, in response to the question whether, with increasing pressure from America, are you trying to have closer cooperation with Turkey in the region? ? He also stated: Of course, you know that the West and America have had a large military presence in our region for a long time. We also know that they are trying to reach their goals in the region illegally with their military presence.

He added: Their military presence in our region causes wars in region and our neighboring countries, all of which have been detrimental to the people of our region. They try to inject crises into our region. They constantly create new crises for us. In this way, they try to advance and secure the interests of their military and commercial complexes. I am reminded of the words of former US President Donald Trump: “We spent thousands of billions of dollars in this region in the last few years, but we threw them all away. I remember Trump’s words well, and so do your audience.” The ambassador continued: But there are brotherly relations between Iran and Turkey. We have lived as neighbors for thousands of years. We have historical and cultural commonalities. Our borders have been a source of both peace and stability in the region for 500 years. The closeness of Iran and Turkey is not only geographical, but now hearts have become closer to each other. This is a very important and special relationship.

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