June 15, 2009 - 22:03 AMT
Iran advocates Turkey's membership at EU
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has supported Turkey's membership at the EU in the past and will do in the future," Hosseinpour said in a meeting with Turkish State Secretary Egemen Baghish.
He hailed the growing ties between Tehran and Ankara over the past 10 years.

"Iran and Turkey can expand cooperation to resolve regional problems. There is no need for interference of foreign countries," the Iranian diplomat said.

Baghish stressed the importance of expanding bilateral economic ties and said the two countries should take steps toward enhancing the level of economic cooperation to 20 billion dollars.

He said Iran's support for Turkey's membership at the EU would accelerate the process.

He urged Tehran and Ankara to exchange views on regional woes including developments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as the campaign against terrorism and illicit drugs.

He expressed hope to pay a visit to Iran in the near future to explore ways for bolstering mutual ties, turkishny.com reported.