IRAN SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP

Egemen Bagis, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, received Bahman Huseyinpur, Iran's Ambassador to Ankara at the Secretariat General for EU Affairs.

Minister for EU Affairs Bagis said they always emphasized the fact that Turkey-Iran border was the world's oldest border. Stating that Turkey's close relations with Iran had important contributions in the EU negotiations, Bagis said "One of the frequently asked questions is about Iran"

Reiterating that the dialogue of both countries was very important as regional problems such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, terror and drugs were taken into consideration, Bagis said the EU also paid special attention to these issues and the attempts of both countries.

Adding that he supported to develop relations with Iran at all levels and expressed hope to pay a visit to Iran in the near future, Bagis thanked Iran for its support on Turkey's EU membership and said "Iran's support and help would accelerate Turkey's EU accession process."

Reiterating the importance of the bilateral relations between Tehran and Ankara, Iran's Ambassador to Ankara Bahman Huseyinpur said Iran supported Turkey's EU membership in the past and would do so in the future and invited Minister Bagis to Iran.Resource: BYE, AA