Iran and Turkey explored ways to implement a comprehensive border mechanism to curb illegal border crossings, prevent human and drug trafficking, and fight terrorist and criminal groups.
During the 27th meeting of Iran-Turkey High Border Commission, held on Tuesday in Ankara after a six-year hiatus, representatives from the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in managing border issues, Mehr News Agency reported.
The meeting was presided by Abbas Baqerpour, director general for international and legal affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, and Burak Ozugergin, the directorate general for bilateral political affairs at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
During the meeting, the participants exchanged views on bilateral border issues, enforcement of border laws, relations between the two sides’ border guards, border crossings and environment issues along the joint frontier.
The meeting comes as Turkey is building a 144-km wall on its border with Iran. The wall with Iran, which will stretch along the northern third of Turkey’s frontier with Iran, aims to prevent smuggling and infiltration by Kurdistan Workers Party militants, Turkey says.
The two neighbors share a 499-km border.
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