Tehran would never forget the fact that Turkey maintained its ties with Iran when western sanctions were imposed on Iran over its nuclear program, said the head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture. Masoud Khansari was speaking in a meeting with a visiting delegation from the Turkish city of Gaziantep on Sunday. “With regard to amicable, time-honored ties between Tehran and Ankara in cultural, political and economic sectors, the two countries can increase their trade relations from the current annual rate of $14 billion,” Mehr News Agency quoted Khansari as saying. “As the simple transaction of goods will not produce favorable economic results, the two sides need to go down the partnership path through joint investments.” The TCCIMA chief noted that bilateral exchanges will make a leap forward once banking relations get back on track. Khansari also called on Ankara to address the issue of transit truck traffic congestion at Bazargan border terminal.
