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"Turkey and Iran have just opened a third border crossing at Kapikoy in eastern Turkey and it is viewed as a symbol of the countries increasing friendship and regional cooperation efforts. The Prime Minister of Turkey has targeted annual trade of $30 billion with Iran, which is a huge increase on the current level of $11 billion annually.
This is why this border crossing has been opened, and the Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi has been quoted as saying the border is a symbol of peace and friendship and the resurrection of the Silk Road, and that it will help the development of the border area and welfare of its residents. The border between the two countries is 499 km long and already has border crossing points at Gurbulak and Esendere with a fourth border crossing being planned for Esendere, and a fifth at Dilucu.
The border was opened during a summit between Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan during which a proclamation was made establishing a new trilateral mechanism to boost trade, energy, transportation and scientific relations between these countries. It is expected that the three countries will also let their intelligence services and security units work together against organised crime, drug smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism.
A statement was also issued asking countries to heed the demands of their people and to not commit violence against them. This may have been a veiled message to the Iranian government which has a bad habit of reacting violently towards any protests against the government. There was also a reference towards Iran's controversial nuclear programme and the expectation that it will comply with international measures.
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