At a joint press conference in Tehran, the foreign ministers of Iran and Turkey – Abbas Araghchi and Hakan Fidan – announced their intention to remove the obstacles hindering full-fledged bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to hold a session of the High-Level Cooperation Council and to resume the work of the Joint Economic Commission, which is intended to systematically advance the deepening of economic ties.

Despite geographic proximity and historically close cultural and religious links, the actual potential for trade and investment remains underutilized. According to experts, eliminating tariff, logistical, and regulatory barriers could significantly expand bilateral trade, particularly in sectors such as energy, railway and transport corridors, free economic zones, and cross-border logistics.

In the energy sector, Iran remains a reliable supplier – the statement noted that the country is ready to extend gas contracts and develop cooperation in electricity generation. Key constraints have included tariff barriers and bureaucratic hurdles that slowed exports and investment projects, especially for Iranian producers in the Turkish market.

Insufficient capacity of rail and transport routes, as well as the lack of active border crossings, have also held back trade turnover. The plan is to utilize existing and new infrastructure projects – the Cheshmeh-Seraya-Aralik railway corridor, joint free economic zones, and the launch of a new border crossing – as tools to accelerate trade.

If the agreements are implemented, this could become the first step toward sustainable growth in bilateral trade – potentially to levels significantly above the current figures. Increased investment and trade activity could stimulate economic growth, export diversification, and the development of import-substituting industries.

Cooperation is expected to deepen not only in the economic sphere but also in energy, transport, and infrastructure – potentially strengthening the strategic partnership between Iran and Turkey at the regional level. Implementation of these plans may also positively affect border provinces in both countries, promoting improvements in logistics, job creation, and regional development.

The statement by Tehran and Ankara signals a new stage of cooperation, in which bilateral relations may move beyond “political proximity” into the realm of genuine economic engagement. If the agreements are implemented promptly and consistently, Iran and Turkey may unlock substantial trade and investment potential, overcoming decades of missed opportunities.

#TURKEY

#IRAN

01.12.2025 06:39