Ahmadinejad: Iran-Turkey Have Common Interests, Enemies

Tehran, April 27, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that Iran and Turkey have common interests and enemies. Ahmadinejad made the remark in a meeting with visiting Turkish Development Minister Jevdet Yilmaz in Tehran. The enemies of Iran and Turkey are against expansion of ties between both countries because of growing Tehran-Ankara ties. Relations between the two countries is consolidated and durable, Ahmadinejad said, noting that Iran-Turkey, as two big countries of the region, enjoy high capacities for promotion of bilateral relations and cooperation. Iran-Turkey ties are based on mutual respect, which is why, both countries can turn into exemplary models for other regional countries, said President Ahmadinejad. Plots being hatched by the enemies cannot mar relations between Iran and Turkey, he said. Iran and Turkey should help resolve regional issues, Ahmadinejad said, adding that there is no doubt that such a strategy will be successful and lasting. The Turkish minister, for his part, said Iran and Turkey share common cultures and values. The fates of both countries in dealing with regional and global developments are interrelated, he said. Iran and Turkey never pay attention to what other countries tell about their relations, said the Turkish minister, adding that the fact is that Turkey attaches importance to consolidation of relations with Iran. Expansion of relations between Iran and Turkey has gained momentum during the tenure of President Ahmadinejad and this will continued and be recorded in history, he said. Turkey seeks to raise the volume of trade exchange with Iran to $30b, underlined the Turkish minister./end