http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0808156950112636.htm
*President: Iran, Turkey eye USD20bn worth commercial transactions* Istanbul, Aug 15, IRNA Iran-Turkey-Ahmadinejad President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Thursday that Iran and Turkey are ready to raise volume of mutual commercial transactions up to dlrs 20 billion in four years. "We are ready for jump in economic and commercial relations; we are prepared to raise volume of commercial transactions to the ceiling of dlrs 20 billion by next four years," Ahmadinejad told a meeting, attended by his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and Iranian and Turkish officials to hold talks on issues of mutual interest. President Ahmadinejad said cooperation between Iran and Turkey -- two big and powerful countries with rich culture and civilization-- would be to the benefit of both Iranian and Turkish nations and regional peace, security and progress. He said Iran and Turkey should cooperate in campaign against terrorism and narcotic drugs smuggling, and in guaranteeing security. "Drugs production in Afghanistan has shown multiple increase; this will lead the region and mankind to corruption and degeneration," said the president, adding that Tehran-Turkey cooperation, especially within framework of joint security committee, for eradication of drugs transit and terrorism would be helpful. He said there is no limit for Iran-Turkey cooperation. "We consider progress and security in Turkey as progress and security of Iran; we are confident that Turkey too will be happy with our security and progress." The president also hoped that mutual cooperation will expand in different fields, especially in the oil, gas, energy, electricity and transportation sectors. The Iranian top executive official then said Tehran and Ankara share common stances on many regional and global issues, including Iraq. "Security and integrity of Iraq will be to the benefit of the region as well as Iran and Turkey." As two big neighbors of Iraq, Iran and Turkey should help Baghdad assume security affairs of Iraq, said President Ahmadinejad, adding, "The big powers should not be allowed to interfere in Iraq internal affairs." As for Afghanistan, Ahmadinejad said contrary to occupiers' claims, conditions in the country are not in favor of security and stability. Saying that the policy for occupiers' presence in Afghanistan is completely wrong, the President announced that the occupying forces do not know Afghan people well and unfortunately they go astray. Gul told the audience for his part that cooperation between the two big regional countries of Iran and Turkey would be in favor of their nations and the region. He said Ankara wants stability, territorial integrity and security in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Turkey has links with all Iraqi groups and is interested to see all the country's groups striving for peace, stability and security in their country in light of unity and solidarity," said Gul. On terrorism and drugs smuggling, Gul said Turkey wants eradication of the problem in the region; however, cooperation among regional countries, especially among Iran, Turkey and Iraq, would be helpful in uprooting the intricacy. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
