Date : 10/12/2012
ANKARA, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- Turkish Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan said
here Monday his country would not fulfill new US sanctions on Iran on the
basis that they were not adopted by the UN.
Speaking to reporters, he said Turkey only committed itself to
international resolutions, rather than unilateral ones, adding that his
country was the world's 16th largest in view of the gross domestic product
(GDP).
He said Turkey sent over 20 commodities to all world countries so it cannot
stop such exports as they are vital to the Turkish economy.
Caglayan added that Turkey's trade exchange with Iran has hit this year
around USD 45 billion.
The US Senate had approved expanded sanctions on global trade with Iran's
energy and shipping sectors in a bid to boost economic pressure on Tehran over
its nuclear program.
The new sanctions, which would be the third round in a year if passed into
law, include measures aimed at stopping the flow of gold from Turkey to Iran
in exchange for natural gas.
Turkey heavily hinges upon imported energy and produces the majority of its
electricity from natural gas.
Turkey imports 10 billion cubic meters of Iranian natural gas, making up
more than 90 percent of Iran's gas exports. (end)
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