Hurriyet has published an article headlined “Turkey, Iran open third border crossing in regional cooperation effort”. The topic of the article is a third border crossing opened at Kapıköy in eastern Turkey’s Van province by Iran and Turkey. Hurriyet quotes Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu :“Our prime minister has set a target of $30 billion in annual trade with Iran. That is why we are opening this border crossing”, “We are announcing to the world that Turkey and Iran will be friends for eternity.” The news agency also refers to Iranian media, quoting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi as saying: “This border is a symbol of peace and friendship and the resurrection of the Silk Road, which for centuries played an important role in making the economy of the region flourish. It also will help the development of the border area and welfare of its residents.”
It is also said in the article that Davutoğlu announced that a fourth border crossing would be opened in June at Esendere and a fifth will follow at Dilucu in northeast Turkey, although he didn’t set a date for its opening.
In an article headlined “Afghan security important to Iran: FM”, Press TV reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has stressed the importance of strengthening stability in Afghanistan, saying Tehran is ready to help Kabul with its welfare and security, at a meeting with Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jaweed Ludin in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sunday. IRNA has quoted the Information and Press Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that, at the meeting, the two sides reviewed issues of mutual interest, as well as regional developments and ways to expand ties and cooperation between the two countries. Referring to cultural and historical commonalities between Iran and Afghanistan, Salehi said the ground is well-prepared for expansion of mutual cooperation and that Iran is sparing no efforts to this end. IRNA also quotes the Afghan envoy as lauding Iran’s assistance and efforts in resolving problems facing Afghanistan.
The Washington post quotes an Associated Press report that Iran’s official news agency says parliamentary elections have been set for next March. It also quotes IRNA, citing Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar as saying the voting will take place on March 2, 2012.
