Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul held first round of talks at Cheraghn Palace in Istanbul on Thursday evening, IRNA reported. The talks focused on avenues to expand mutual relations in trade, economic, political, security and energy fields. At the end of the session, high-ranking officials of both countries are to sign several agreements on economic cooperation. Both presidents of Iran and Turkey are scheduled to take part in a joint press conference. President Ahmadinejad is to meet Turkish elite, writers and media staff, deliver lecture for Iranian and Turkish businessmen and industrialists, and hold talks with Iranian nationals living in Turkey. Minister of Foreign Affairs Manouchehr Mottaki, Power Minister Parviz Fattah, Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari, and Head of the Culture, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei are accompanying the president.
