Turkey Reiterates Opposition to Sanctions against Iran
(FNA)- Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag underlined his country's steadfast opposition to the imposition of sanctions against Iran, and said Ankara wants to promote ties with Tehran.
Speaking at a meeting with the governor general of Iran's East Azerbaijan province, Akdag underlined Iran's right to access and use peaceful nuclear technology, and condemned the western pressures and embargos on the Islamic Republic.
"Turkey has never and does not approve the western sanctions" against the Islamic Republic, he said.
The minister praised Iran's growing progress and development, and said, "Despite the sanctions imposed against Iran, the country has moved well on the path of progress and development."
He further noted the two countries' commonalities, and said, "The two countries' trade exchanges which stood at $1bln in 2000 now amounts to $14bln and this shows the continued betterment of the ties between Iran and the Turkey."
The minister further stressed the need for the utilization of all capacities to help the two countries' trade ties and exchanges further promote.
Iran and Turkey have in recent years increased their cooperation in all the various fields of economy, security, trade, education, energy and culture.
The two sides have exchanged several politico-economic delegations during the last few months.
Turkey and Iran have also reportedly been planning to organize several activities in the health sector, including exhibitions.
Iranian Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi visited Turkey in 2011, during which she underlined that the expansion of mutual cooperation in medical and health fields sets a priority for Tehran and Ankara.
"The expansion of cooperation in medical and health sectors between Iran and Turkey, as two important countries in the region, and the exchange of educational experiences are of priority to the two sides, which Tehran and Ankara are set to undertake," Vahid Dastjerdi said at the time.
"The mutual cooperation can increase the level of health and wellbeing in the region," she added.