TEHRAN, Iran
Turkey is looking to increase its trade volume with Iran after a down year, according to Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"2012 was a success for both countries, as we reached a balanced trade volume of $21.8 billion. Unfortunately, this plummeted to $13.8 billion in 2013. I hope 2014 will be a milestone year for both countries and that we reach $30 billion by the end of 2015," Erdogan said in a joint press conference with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on Wednesday.
Erdogan stressed the importance of Iranian imports, including crude oil. "It is possible for both countries to act accordingly using a 'win-win' principle in the technological and industrial fields. There are also many things that Iran can get from us".
Jahangiri also highlighted the mutual interests of both countries, saying Iran and Turkey have historic ties.
"I hope the prime minister’s visit will take Iranian-Turkish relations to a new level," Jahangiri added.
The two sides signed a cooperation agreement to form a joint trade committee before the press conference in Tehran's Sa'dabad Palace.
The countries' respective delegations also signed cooperation agreements for different sectors.
Iran's Trade Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh and Turkey's Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci signed a preferential trade agreement.
Anadolu Agency Chair and Director General Kemal Ozturk and Islamic Republic News Agency Director General Mohammed Khoddadi signed a new cooperation agreement deal between the two agencies.
Erdogan was accompanied at the press conference by a delegation that included Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu; Energy Minister Taner Yildiz; Development Minister Cevdet Yilmaz; Culture Minister Omer Celik; AK Party Vice Chairman Numan Kurtulmus; and AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Ahmet Aydin.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani later met with Erdogan over lunch.
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