Iran Exclusive
President Abdullah Gül, paying an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, was welcomed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with an official ceremony in Tehran. Afterwards, the two leaders, having a tete-a-tete, chaired the delegational talks and they later held a joint press conference.
“WE MUST HEED TO THE DEMANDS OF OUR PEOPLE”
In the whole of the region, particularly in the Middle East and the Islamic World, the President argued, significant changes are being experienced and he further commented on this: “These events should not surprise anyone as a matter of fact. In this very epoch in which communication enables people to be aware of everything, the very demands of people are for real. I shared my thoughts regarding this issue during my speech at the Islamic Conference Meeting held in Tehran back in 2003: ‘Every single country must put their own houses in order. We must pay heed to the demands of our people. In this regard, both political and economic reforms ought to be implemented.’ Sometimes, it is the public that urges what leaders do not, which is in fact what we are witnessing in the region these days. When leaders do not pioneer such reforms, people do. We hope that this country and its people will come through this process honorable, stronger and happier and that this process will not last long.”
Welcoming Ceremony
Receptions
QUINTESSENTIAL FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN
Remembering that Turkey and Iran have been sharing the same border since 1639, President Gül stated: “It is hard to find any other two countries sharing borders as old as these and enjoying such steady relations throughout the world.” He then referred to the exhibition entitled “Ten Thousand Years of Iranian Civilization, Two Thousand Years of Common Heritage” displayed at Topkapı Palace Museum as part of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture programs as the best demonstration of the common culture and history shared by the two countries. He also underscored the very importance they attach to developing the bilateral relations between Turkey and Iran, informing the press that they have discussed both bilateral and regional issues including Iran’s nuclear program.
THE NECESSARY WILL TO AUGMENT BILATERAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS
President Gül along with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad participated in the Turkey-Iran Business Council.
President Gül, informing his audience that they discussed both political and economic relations between the two countries during their talks, declared that they have the necessary will to boost the bilateral relations and investments between the two countries, underscoring the great economic potential between Turkey and Iran, two ancient neighbors in the region.
THE NECESSITY TO ELIMINATE HINDRANCES IN THE WAY OF TRADE
Like the intense economic relations between Germany and France, two neighbors in Europe, there should be strong economic ties between Turkey and Iran, the President noted and he further evinced that both states are doing what they are supposed to do in this regard, drawing attention to the necessity to eliminate the very obstacles in the way of their trade.
GÜL’S RECEPTIONS
President Gül, after the Turkey-Iran Business Council, received Mohammad Yahya Maroofi of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Mahmut Erol Kılıç of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (PUOIC).
The President later attended an official dinner given by President Ahmadinejad of Iran.
He afterwards received Iran’s chief negotiator on nuclear issues, Said Jalili, at the hotel he was staying at.