The Turkish government has decided to increase border crossing fees for Iranian trucks after 20 years, triggering a debate with Iranian officials.
According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and Turkey back in 1994, the two sides agreed not to charge trucks crossing the border. The Turkish government, however, started charging Iranian trucks about 31 dollars in transit fee as of October 10 and increased the sum to about 63 dollars one day later, MNA reported.
Turkish officials say the move was an objection to the transit fees Iran has been changing Turkish trucks in the past years. Ankara had already urged a reduction in the fees.
Iranian officials argue that they have charged the Turkish trucks because fuel in Iran has been cheaper than that in Turkey. “Over the past 20 years, Iran has charged Turkish trucks €25 (about $31) per 100 kilometer of traveling in Iran just to compensate the difference in fuel prices,” Iranian deputy road minister, Davood Keshaverziyan, said.
He added that the Turkish side “has violated the agreement it signed 20 years ago by its latest decision.”
