The agreement was reached during a meeting between Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Seyyed Ali Madanizadeh and Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul.
According to Shada, the two ministers discussed ways to expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, facilitate the movement of trucks and the transit of goods and services, and resolve existing bottlenecks at their shared border crossings.
The ministers emphasized the need to strengthen customs and border cooperation. They agreed to establish a joint working group and hold regular meetings between officials of border customs offices to identify, address and resolve operational and logistical challenges.
Facilitating truck movements and developing a time-bound plan for the transit of goods and services between the two countries were among the key priorities discussed. Both sides also stressed the importance of keeping border customs offices operational around the clock to increase trade capacity, reduce truck waiting times and expedite commercial procedures.
Particular attention was given to the situation at the Bazargan border crossing, a major gateway for bilateral trade, and the challenges affecting its operations. The ministers also reviewed Türkiye’s ongoing plans to upgrade and modernize its customs facilities and discussed the potential impact of these measures on the movement of vehicles and the transit of goods.
They underscored the need for closer coordination to facilitate cross-border traffic and prevent disruptions to trade flows.
The effective use of other shared border crossings to accommodate trucks and passengers was also discussed, alongside measures to manage and expedite the passage of sensitive cargo. Both sides emphasized making the most of existing border infrastructure and improving coordination to ensure smoother traffic flows.
The establishment of a joint working group on the two countries’ free trade and industrial zones was another item on the agenda. The ministers called for faster review of relevant documents and proposals to pave the way for the group to begin its work.
The discussions also addressed obstacles facing Turkish companies operating in Iran. Both sides stressed the importance of resolving these issues and creating a more favorable environment for the continued expansion of Turkish business activities and investment in Iran.
Concluding the meeting, Madanizadeh and Bolat reaffirmed the importance of bilateral economic and trade relations. They pledged to maintain dialogue, strengthen coordination among relevant government and customs authorities, and follow up on their agreements through joint mechanisms to facilitate trade, expand transit, and deepen economic cooperation.