Turkish foreign minister, Ismail Cem, left Ankara
Monday for Tehran on a two-day state visit aimed at discussing security issues, as well as political, economic and cultural relations, reported the Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
Deputy Turkish foreign ministry spokesman, Huseyin Dirioz, told IRNA that Cem's visit is at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi.
"During this visit, all issues of interest are to be discussed," he said, adding that Cem will be accompanied in this visit by a top trade delegation.
The volume of trade between the two countries increased to $732.8 million during January-September 2000, compared to $503.32 million in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, an Iranian official told the Tehran Times newspaper Sunday that Cem’s visit mainly aims at reducing tension between the two countries after Turkey accused Tehran that it sponsored radical Islamist groups. Iran strongly denied the charge – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
