Ankara hopes for improvement of non-commercial ties with Tehran

The Turkish ambassador to Iran said on Wednesday Turkey’s commercial ties with Iran have been improving constantly in recent years, but now Ankara hopes for improvement of non-commercial ties with Iran, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Ambassador Reza Hakan Tekin made the comment in his Wednesday afternoon meeting with Iranian Vice President for Women and Families Affairs Shahindokht Mowlaverdi, adding that prior to his tenure in Iran he did not know that the Iranian women played such a strong role in social and state affairs.

‘Of course women are considered as the wealth of any country and their potential needs to be used optimally at the service of national interests,’ said the Turkish ambassador.

Hakan Tekin referred to the visits of the two countries’ president to each other’s capital cities over the past year, arguing that agreements signed in those summit meetings included strengthening of women and families’ status.

‘We are ready for expansion of ties in the field of women and families affairs with Iran and for exchange of delegations,’ he said.

The Turkish ambassador said that although women’s participation in Turkish political affairs is not satisfactory yet, but the number of female parliamentarians increased from 6 to 18 in recent elections.

Hakan Tekin also noted that Turkey now has 12 female ambassadors around the world, expressing delight that he has heard that the first Iranian ambassador, too, will soon begin her mission abroad.