By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that Iran and Turkey are two powerful nations in the region with friendly and constructive ties.
He made the remarks prior to his departure for Istanbul on a two-day official visit.
Speaking to reporters at the Mehrabad International Airport here, the president said Iran-Turkey relations gained momentum after the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Ahmadinejad referred to Iran and Turkey as two major ancient civilisations.
Noting that his visit is taking place upon an official invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Ahmadinejad said while in Turkey, he would exchange views with Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on major regional, bilateral and international developments.
Iran-Turkey cultural, economic and political relations as well as security issues were among major topics to be discussed by the two sides, said the president.
He is heading a high-ranking delegation which consisted of Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as well as Minister of Energy Parviz Fattah, Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari and Head of the Organisation of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei.
This is Ahmadinejad’s first visit to Turkey since he took office in 2005.
In addition to separate meetings with senior Turkish officials, Ahmadinejad is also expected to meet a group of Turkish elites, writers, media staff and businessmen as well as a number of Iranians residing in Turkey.
Several agreements are also expected to be signed by Iranian and Turkish officials during the visit.