Iranian president meets visiting Turkish foreign minister in Tehran.
TEHRAN (AA) – Iran’s president Monday called close relations with Turkey “in the interest of peace and stability in the region,” saying anti-terror fight can be a focus of Iran-Turkey cooperation.
During a meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Ebrahim Raisi said the regional cooperation between Iran and Turkey should be turned into “international cooperation,” which he stressed can be effective given the “important positions” of the two countries, according to a statement released by his office.
Turkey’s top diplomat arrived in Tehran early Monday on his first visit to the country since the new Iranian government took over.
Speaking to Cavusoglu, Raisi said the presence of terrorist groups like Daesh/ISIS in the region is “detrimental” to both countries, adding that the fight against terrorism and organized crime can be a “focus of cooperation” between Tehran and Ankara, the statement noted.
Referring to comments made earlier by Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the new roadmap to bolster bilateral cooperation, Iran’s president said the two countries are ready to upgrade relations to “all-inclusive cooperation”.
Earlier, addressing a joint news conference with Cavusoglu, Amir-Abdollahian said the two sides agreed on a roadmap for long-term cooperation, adding that there is a “lot of consensus” between them on regional issues.
The discussions between the two officials, he said, were held on bilateral trade, private sector investments, and effective ways of lifting barriers in trade.
Raisi, during his meeting with Cavusoglu, also stressed the “ability” of regional countries in “solving their problems without foreign interference”.
He said the presence of “outsiders” only brings “insecurity and tensions” between the countries in the region, citing the example of a 20-year old US presence in Afghanistan.
Referring to the Turkish foreign minister’s remarks on joint cooperation with Iran to develop trade relations in the South Caucasus, Raisi said Iran has a “deep and longstanding religious and cultural bond” with Azerbaijan and Turkey, and the countries must not allow “outsiders” to sabotage it.
In his remarks, Cavusoglu said Turkey considers the new government in Iran to be a “result-oriented government” and reaffirmed Ankara’s determination to “increase the level of cooperation” with Tehran.
Referring to the importance of Iran’s cooperation and participation in the development of stability and trade in the South Caucasus, the minister said Turkey seeks to “establish and strengthen joint cooperation” with Iran to ensure stability in the region.
Earlier in the day, Cavusoglu informed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be visiting Iran before the year-end, during which the long-term cooperation agreement will be signed between the two countries.