Commencing his address by thanking for Iran's warm hospitality, President Erdoğan congratulated his Iranian counterpart for his victory in the latest election in Iran and expressed his wish for the Muslim month of Muharram to lead to favorable developments for the entire Islamic world.

Describing the 4th Meeting of the Turkiye-Iran High-Level Cooperation Council, which the two Presidents co-chaired, as highly productive in terms of its results, President Erdoğan stated that they held in-depth discussions on issues related to politics, military, economy, trade, culture, and tourism.

"High-level visits between Turkiye and Iran that have become more frequent recently will carry our relations to higher levels," President Erdoğan said, adding that the goal of achieving 30 billion dollars' worth of trade between the two countries was the main agenda item of the 4th Meeting of the Turkiye-Iran High-Level Cooperation Council.

Turkiye and Iran to trade in local currencies

"We have encouraged our relevant institutions and ministers for intense efforts in every field of energy and tourism to transportation and defense industry," President Erdoğan said and added: "We have decided to improve the financial sector through the leadership of our countries' central banks and cooperation between our banks. In efforts to rescue our economic relations from currency rate pressure, we have decided to trade in local currencies. Our central banks will come together and sign the agreement in this regard next week."

"We will increase business co-operation in the energy sector"

Pointing out that Turkiye and Iran have shown determination to boost their cooperation in the energy sector with the both nations attaching great importance to cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism, President Erdoğan said: "I believe that tens of thousands of Turkish citizens will visit Iran, which has a very rich civilization. Turkish Airlines' flights from Turkiye to Iran is a sign of this potential. We are encouraging our tourism investors to make investments in Iran."

"State party for Iran and Turkiye is central government in Iraq"

Stressing that regional issues were also on their agenda, President Erdoğan said: "The Iraq problem, on which we are currently working through tripartite mechanisms, currently tops the agenda. We have already expressed that we don't recognize the IKRG's illegitimate referendum. To the IKRG's north is Turkiye with a 350-km long borderline, to the east is Iran, to the south is the central government, and to the west is Syria. Why on earth is the IKRG holding this referendum? And there is no country in the world that recognizes it other than Israel. A decision made by sitting down with the Mossad cannot be legitimate, it is illegitimate. I believe that taking such a step by counting on certain circles will condemn the IKRG to isolation. As Iran and Turkiye, our determination on the matter is evident."

President Erdoğan continued: "Our interlocutor in Iraq is the central government. We deem the referendum held by the IKRG illegitimate. As you know, there are steps Turkiye, Iran and the central government in Iraq have taken on the matter. And there are more severe steps to be taken in the upcoming period."

"We do care about de-escalation zone in Syria"

Also touching on the Syria issue in his speech, President Erdoğan pointed to the tripartite mechanism among Iran, Russia, and Turkiye within the framework of the Astana process, and emphasized the importance they attach to the de-escalation zone in Syria. Expressing his belief that the tripartite mechanism in question will lay the ground for victory in the fight against terrorist organizations, particularly DAESH, and lead to the salvation of the oppressed, President Erdoğan stressed: "It is our duty to fight for the salvation of all the oppressed and victims of the world."

Iranian President Rouhani: We will fight together with terrorism regardless of their names

President Rouhani of Iran, for his part, expressed determination to fight against all terrorist organizations regardless of their names, and stated: "The terrorists must know that the governments and powers of the region will not allow them to conduct cowardly and inhumane activities."

In relation to the steps taken to boost bilateral trade between Turkiye and Iran, President Rouhani, referring to the importance of transit of goods between the two countries at three important border crossings and the need to provide facilities in customs, said: "These measures could help to increase the level of relations between the two countries, and today it was decided that three border crossings work 24/7, two of which are to start working from tomorrow."

Following the joint press conference, President Erdoğan attended the luncheon President Rouhani hosted in his honor. (ILKHA)