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Update: Rouhani says Iran, Turkey cooperation can resolve regional issues

Xinhua, November 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that stability and security in the region, particularly in Syria and Iraq, can be the basis of interaction between Tehran and Ankara, official IRNA news agency reported.

"Now that the region is in a sensitive juncture, the boost of cooperation and dialogue between Tehran and Ankara can help resolve the (regional) issues," Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

"Fortunately, Iran and Turkey enjoy amicable relations, which is promising for further expansion of future cooperation," he was quoted as saying.

"If regional states stay together, problems in Iraq and Syria would be settled without any need for the outside powers," he said.

Rouhani stressed that regional countries should work for the sake of sovereignty and national unity of the Iraqis and Syrians, the formation of their governments on the basis of people's vote and the prevention of destruction of infrastructure and massacre of people in the two Arab states.

For his part, Cavusoglu hailed Iran's "constructive" role in fighting terrorism and working for global peace, saying that territorial integrity and national unity of the Syrian and Iraqi people are in the interest of Tehran and Ankara, according to IRNA.

The western countries are after their own interests as far as regional issues are concerned, he said, adding that the establishment of a cease-fire in Syria, fighting terrorism and finding political solutions are immediate needs for Syria.

He also called for the enhancement of multidimensional relations between Iran and Turkey.

Cavusoglu arrived here on Saturday morning for political talks with senior Iranian officials.

The situations in Syria and Iraq top the agenda of talks between Iranian officials and Cavusoglu.

Despite differences over the ongoing political and military situations in Syria and Iraq, Turkey and Iran have had close relations, particularly in economic sectors, over the past years. Endit