Iran’s MNA, Turkish Cihan news agencies sign agreement

The contract was signed in the Iranian Embassy by the MNA Managing Director Parviz Esmaeili and his Turkish counterpart Bolent Koroco in the presence of Iranian Ambassador Firuz Dowlatabadi, Cultural Attaché Farhad Palizdar, and representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Dowlatabadi referred to the two neighboring states’ historical, cultural, and religious commonalities, attaching great importance to their political, economic, and cultural potentials.

The envoy expressed his congratulations on the contract, assuring that the media cooperation between the two big countries will help make further successes in the Islamic world.

Dowlatabadi noted that media cooperation also helps remove misunderstandings as the news and reports are directly exchanged between the two states.

Shifting to recent developments in Lebanon and Palestine, he condemned the Zionist regime’s attacks, expressing hope that the peace will be restored in the region.

Koroco, for his part, said, “We are well aware of lack of precise and reliable news on Iran. We are hopeful that the contract helps us do our job and exchange news directly and without any agent.”

He added the contract is a new chapter in Cihan’s activities and to the advantage of Islamic states of Turkey and Iran.

Later Esmaeili extended his condolences to Turkish people on martyrdom of their fellow countrymen by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and terrorist acts by the Zionist regime in Palestine and south Lebanon.

Talking about the strong bond between Iranian and Turkish peoples, the managing director said, “We have to admit that the two nations’ ties are out of proportion to their capacities and opportunities.”

He blamed the third parties, whose interests are endangered by Iran-Turkey close relations, for part of underdeveloped relations and snippets of information and false news for another part.

“Iran and Turkey have common views on scores of regional and Islamic issues,” opined Esmaeili, adding, “This is a good opportunity to help our statesmen through appropriate dissemination of information boost bilateral ties.”

The managing director expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Dowlatabadi and his colleagues for organizing the meeting, expressing hope that Tehran will host Cihan officials in Tehran in the near future.

According to the contract, the Mehr and Cihan news agencies will exchange news, reports, and photos and set up their offices in Istanbul and Tehran.

Cihan was established in 1994. The news agency’s headquarters is in Istanbul and its offices are active throughout Turkey.

In addition, Cihan has run its offices in 58 countries and one radio and two TV channels inside Turkey.

Mehr News Agency was established on June 22, 2003, marking the Information Dissemination Day and establishment anniversary of the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization (IIDO).

Although the IIDO affiliate is a newcomer, it has been playing a major role in the media world and is a reliable news source.

The MNA won Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance’s Best News Agency award in 2004.

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MNA