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Iran, Turkey cooperation to sustain regional stability: Iranian president

Xinhua, March 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

The cooperation between Tehran and Ankara, two competing rivals backing different warring sides in Syria, is sustainable for regional stability, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday.

"Iran and Turkey share interests and should work together to eradicate the foundations of terrorism as the common enemy, and to strengthen stability and peace in the region," Rouhani said in a meeting with the visiting Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Terrorism is a challenge and a common threat for the whole world, and the regional states should work together to tackle the issue, he said, adding both countries are against violence and this can be a jargon where Tehran and Ankara think of unity among Muslims.

Despite amicable relations between Tehran and Ankara over the past years, the two neighbors and rivals are at loggerheads over the Syrian crisis. Iran is a strong-headed regional ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed the militants and moderate fighters against the regime of al-Assad.

Heading a high-ranking economic delegation, Davutoglu arrived in Tehran for an official visit on Friday night. The two countries also plan to sign several memorandums of understanding during his two-day stay in Tehran. Endit