President: Iran, Turkey must work together to uproot extremism

Tehran, April 7, IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran and Turkey must work together to uproot instability, insecurity and war from the Middle East region. Speaking to reporters in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyib Erdogan, President Rouhani said in order to bolster brotherhood among Muslims in the region; all should strive to eradicate terrorism and extremism. Welcoming Turkish president and his entourage, he said that in the meeting the two sides reviewed expansion of mutual relations and cooperation and exchanged views on regional developments. The agenda of the meeting was expansion of mutual relations, energy, transport, transit of goods, investment of the private sectors in both countries and in a third country and the issue of preferential tariffs, said President Rouhani. The two sides discussed expansion of cultural relations, exchange of cultural products, cooperation among academic and scientific centers, security of the border areas and fight against terrorism, he said. The president said that the Iranian and Turkish governments are determined to increase volume of trade exchange from dlrs 14 billion to 30 billion. President Rouhani thanked for the supports made by Turkish government for Iran's peaceful nuclear activities as well as Swiss statement. 'I believe that understanding between Iran and G5+1 will help facilitate and broaden economic cooperation between Iran and Turkey and will prepare the ground for providing more facilities for investors,' President Rouhani said. 'Talks between the two governments under the current circumstances in the region were held but regretfully we are witnessing rampant insecurity and instability in the region,' Rouhani said. The two governments are of the opinion that instability, insecurity and war in the entire region should be halted and the two countries must cooperate to deal with terrorism and extremism in order to witness more solidarity among Muslim nations in the region, he said. He said that the two presidents reviewed ongoing developments in Iraq, Syria and Palestine but held detailed discussion on Yemen, citing the deterirating humanitarian situation in Yemen due to Saudi air raids on civilian targets which killed several hundred of innocent civilians. The president said that Iran and Turkey governments have common stand about Yemen, adding that the two presidents believe that war and bloodshed should stop at the earliest and ceasefire to enforced soon in Yemen. Rouhani said that after establishment of ceasefire in Yemen, the ground for shipment of relief aid will be prepared. President Rouhani said that the Iranian and Turkish governments expect restoration of peace, stability, security and establishment of a broad-based and democratic government in Yemen through peaceful negotiations. Turkish president said for his part that both Iran and Turkey are to sign eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and one joint statement which will be regarded as a significant move to develop cooperation. 'We held high meeting for economic cooperation in Tehran,' he said. Expressing satisfaction with the visit, Turkish president said that Ankara possesses capabilities to broaden cooperation in culture, commerce and economy. The ground is well-prepared to exchange views on regional developments which is now burning in flames, he said. The two sides held close discussions on political and international issues, said Turkish president. The two sides are now determined to increase current level of economic cooperation to hit dlrs 30 billion a year, he said. Trade balance is now to the benefit of Iran, underlined Turkish president. The two sides should seize the opportunity and remove hurdles, he said. Turkey provides its major natural gas from Iran and if the country offered gas at lower prices, Turkey would increase purchase, he said. Turkey is to increase level of trade balance through purchase of Iranian gas to hit dlrs 30 billion a year, he said. 'We are under a very special situation and to the same reason we held consultations in light of cultural and religious affinities to broaden cooperation,' he said. The two sides should help remove red tapes to broaden level of economic cooperation, said Turkish president. Air transport and expansion of tourism could help the two sides broaden economic cooperation, he said. Both Iran and Turkey have good experience in cultural tourism which should be taking into account, he said. The two sides should use their national currencies in trade instead of western and foreign currencies, he underlined. Tehran and Ankara should turn to exemplary models for countries in the region which can increase the two governments power, he said. Referring to regional developments mainly in Iraq, he said Turkey is very concerned about Iraq's developments. Some 100,000 people were killed in Iraq and the country's historical and cultural monuments and artifacts were destroyed and in Syria some 300,000 Muslims were killed, he said. All should be united to prevent bloodshed and massacre through negotiations, said Turkish president.