Turkey and Iran Converge on Countering PKK

Sources said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, actually in Tehran for an official visit, met Mohammad Reza Aref, the Iranian First Vice President.

In the meeting, Erdogan and Aref discussed economic and political relations between two neighboring countries, as well as international and regional issues.

Erdogan said that two countries had the potential to increase their bilateral trade volume from 2.3 to 5 billion U.S. dollars, and noted that they could make joint investments in other countries.

Turkish PM Erdogan thanked Iran for its cooperation in countering the terrorist organization PKK/Kongra-Gel, and expressed his condolences and sorrow over death of Iranians in clashes erupted between the terrorist organization and Iranian security forces.

Expressing pleasure on the fact that Iran signed NPT (non proliferation treaty of nuclear weapons), Erdogan said that Iran should be more careful as regards its relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency. "Thus", he said, "speculations could be prevented".

Erdogan also told Aref that Turkey expected Iran to support its candidacy for a non-permanent member seat at the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Turkish PM Erdogan also called for the signing of an agreement to prevent double taxation between the two countries.

Energy ministers to meet

Noting that Turkish and Iranian energy ministers would meet to discuss natural gas issue, Erdogan said that energy ministers should not end their meeting without solving this problem.

Offering Iran to cooperate in tourism area, Erdogan said that two countries could take steps to teach Turkish and Persian languages in their respective schools.

Expressing pleasure on the opening of a Turkish Language and Letters department in one of Iranian universities, Erdogan said that it would be a better idea if such a department was opened in Tabriz University.

Iraq issue

Sources said that Erdogan and Aref also discussed Iraq issue during their meeting. Erdogan said that Turkey attached importance to Iraq's territorial integrity, and stated that domination of one Iraqi ethnic group on another was unacceptable.

Referring to Cyprus issue, Erdogan recalled that the report (UN Secretary General Kofi) Annan submitted to the Security Council after the (April 24th simultaneous) referenda (in the island) stressed that embargoes imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were unjust.

Erdogan said that the United States had announced that it would take steps to lift those embargoes, and noted that Turkey expected Iran to lift the embargoes imposed on TRNC, as well.

Turkish PM Erdogan said that TRNC, formerly recognized as "community" by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) before the Istanbul Conference, would from now on be invited to OIC meetings as "Turkish Cypriot State" and as an observer.

Recalling that Turkey would send military troops to Afghanistan between February and August 2005, Erdogan said that Turkey continued to amend infrastructure in this country.

Referring to Israeli-Palestinian dispute, Erdogan said that Turkey continued its efforts for peace. Erdogan said that Turkey had done and would continue to do its best to contribute to a solution of the Middle East problem. "Turkey was also ready to do its best to solve settlement problem of the Palestinians", Erdogan noted.

On the other hand, Aref said that they were "philosophically" against weapons of mass destruction, and noted that Iran did not have any nuclear weapons.

Aref stated that Iran shared Turkey's views on terrorism, and said, "we will do what is necessary regarding PKK/Kongra-Gel in the possible shortest time.

Noting that Turkey and Iran should enhance their economic cooperation, Aref said that a free trade zone could easily be established among Iran, Turkey and Pakistan.

Aref proposed that Syria and Lebanon could also be included in this trade zone in the future. (BRC-ULG) (YE)