Turkish border gate with Iran to operate 24 hours a day

VAN

Turkey is working to keep a third border gate with Iran open for 24 hours a day to ease border crossing and boost trade, according to Customs And Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkci.

“We work 24 hours a day at the Esendere and Gürbulak gates. We will operate for 24 hours at the Kapıköy gate also,” said the minister, as he visited the gate in the eastern province of Van on Feb. 18.

Many people wait at the gate when it is closed in the afternoon, he said, adding that the Iranian side also wants its 24-hour operation.

This will allow the ease of crossing during Iran’s official holiday, Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, said Tüfenkci.

The renewal work at Kapıköy gate continues.

“We will open this gate to transit crossing. It will support developing trade in Van,” the minister said.

Tüfenkci said the Iranian side is also building new roads to the gate.