INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
and heritage sectors.Salehi-Amiri highlighted the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between the two nations, noting that
Iran-Turkey relations extend beyond diplomacy and are anchored in centuries of shared heritage dating back to the Ottoman era.Referring to
the legacy of Rumi ( a celebrated Persian poet of the 13th century who is better known as Molana in Iran), the minister said the mystic
figure belongs to the cultural heritage of humanity and could serve as a symbol of cultural cooperation and civilizational dialogue between
Iran and Turkey.Salehi-Amiri then referred to the strong interest among Iranians in traveling to Turkey, attributing it not only to tourism
infrastructure but also to shared cultural values
Bektash Veli (who was a 13th-century Islamic scholar and mystic) in Neyshabur.Describing Iran as a country rich in tourism potential, the
minister stated that Iran boasts 28 UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 43,000 nationally registered sites, and thousands of cultural and
that Iran is planning to construct 100 new hotels annually
He proposed drafting a comprehensive bilateral agreement focused on cultural, tourism, and economic cooperation with long-term
prospects.Ambassador Kirlangic, for his part, echoed the sentiment, calling Iran-Turkey relations deeper than typical neighborly ties
He stressed the importance of strengthening cultural and social relations to create synergy in other areas and called for targeted promotion
of Iranian tourist destinations within Turkey.Senior Iranian officials also participated in the meeting, including Ali Darabi, Deputy
Minister for Cultural Heritage; Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey, Deputy for Tourism; Maryam Jalali-Dehkordi, Deputy for Handicrafts; and
countries, while Mohseni-Bandpey advocated for technical committees to advance collaboration in areas such as Halal food tourism and
tourism market and said the ministry is developing advisory and facilitation packages to attract Turkish investors to tourism projects in
This article first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times
