Turkey's Erdogan arrives in Tehran for crucial talks

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Key talks with senior Iranian officials are set to begin as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Iran's capital Tehran on Wednesday.

During his day-long official visit, Erdogan will meet his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to discuss boosting bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran, October 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Erdogan and Rouhani will also preside over the fifth meeting of Turkey-Iran High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Tehran on Wednesday.

The Turkish president heads a high-ranking delegation of four Turkish cabinet ministers of economy, energy, customs and culture as well as Turkish investors and business owners, according to the state TV.

The two neighbors are key economic partners and plan to enhance their annual trade volume to 30 billion US dollars.

According to the head of Iran-Turkey Commerce Chamber, Reza Karami, Iran-Turkey trade volume in the first eight months of 2017 was over 7.25 billion US dollars, Press TV reported.

Over the past months, the two countries have also taken steps to boost their military cooperation.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is seen with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a welcoming ceremony in Tehran, Iran, October 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo

On Monday, Iran and Turkey's top military officials called here for boosting ties and security cooperation.

Military cooperation between Iran and Turkey would increase, and the two neighbors would hold joint war games and exchange experiences, the visiting Chief of the General Staff of Turkey Hulusi Akar and Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said in the joint press conference.

Erdogan's visit takes place at the invitation of President Rouhani and against the backdrop of the recent controversial independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, which is a source of concern for both Turkey and Iran as they border the country.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency