TEHRAN Nov 27 (TNS): Iran and Turkey signed a deal Sunday with Qatar aimed at boosting commercial ties with the Gulf state which is under blockade by its Arab neighbours, Iranian state television said.
The agreement provides for the creation of a “joint working group to facilitate the transit of goods between the three countries”.
It also said the three nations aimed to tackle “obstacles to sending goods from Iran and Turkey to Qatar”.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt all cut ties with Qatar in June, accusing Doha of backing extremism and fostering ties with Iran, charges that Qatar denies.
Since the crisis erupted, Iran and Turkey — whose relations have warmed considerably in recent months — have sought to help break Qatar’s isolation, including by increasing food exports to the emirate.
