By NNN-Xinhua,
Ankara : Visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that Turkey and Iran would cooperate in fighting against terrorism and drug trafficking, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Ahmadinejad, who arrived in Istanbul on Thursday for a two-day working visit, made the remarks at a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul following their talks.
He said as two large and strong countries in the region, Iran and Turkey have great influence on regional and international matters.
On Iran’s nuclear program, Ahmadinejad said that dialogue is the best way, adding that Iran is always ready for dialogue to solve this issue.
He also said that Iran welcomed the negotiation process which started in Geneva.
The two countries are planning to increase their bilateral trade volume to 20 billion U.S. dollars within four years.
Ahmadinejad said that Turkey and Iran would celebrate 2009 as joint culture year which would help enhance better understanding of each other’s cultures and civilizations among the two peoples.
On Iraq issue, Ahmadinejad said that protection of Iraq’s territorial integrity is in the interest of both Turkey and Iran, reiterating Iran’s support for the political process in Iraq.
For his part, Gul said that the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in South Caucasus was a priority among Turkish foreign policy targets.
During the meeting, the two leaders also expressed concern and sorrow over the clashes which started in South Ossetia region of Georgia on August 7, said Gul.