Iran, Turkey negotiate over border trade

Iranian deputy president for international affairs Ali Saeidlou has just arrived in Turkey to exchange views with Turkish officials on ways to expand trade through the border provinces, Trend reports.

During his one-day trip, Ali Saeidlou plans to address a meeting of economic, political and cultural officials of the two sides, which would focus on the expansion of bilateral economic relations.

The fourth meeting of Iranian and Turkish border provinces will also discuss passenger and goods transport via rail and road networks.

Four workshops for expert groups are to be held on such issues as investment and border trade, customs, industry and tourism, cultural and sports cooperation.

The first such conference was held in Tehran in December 2009, the second one on January 11, 2010 in the Turkish city of Van, and the last one in October, 2010 in Orumiyeh, on Iran's West Azarbaijan province.

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said that the two-way trade exchanges in the first six month of the current Iranian year, which started on March 20, has exceeded $16 billion and is expected to reach $25 billion by the end of the year.

Adapted from Vestnik Kavkaza