FM: Iran-Turkey Officials Meetings Enhance Regional Stability

Tehran, Aug 1, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in a meeting with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Halit Cevik said that meetings between officials of the two countries can enhance regional stability. In the meeting here on Tuesday afternoon, Salehi and Cevik exchanged views on regional developments as well as bilateral ties. According to the report of Foreign Ministry Media Department, Salehi said that Iran wants restoration of stability in Syria and solving disputes through dialogue. 'We support Kofi Annan's plan and believe that the plan is the only way to get out of this situation,' Salehi told his Turkish visitor. He expressed Iran's readiness to prepare grounds for talks between Syrian government and the opposition and expressed hope that Syria moves toward stability. Considering Turkey's position in the region, Salehi said that the two countries have plenty of commonalities and continuation of meetings and dialogue between officials of the two countries would cause more understanding and cooperation between Iran and Turkey in direction of helping return of stability into region. Expressing pleasure with existing bilateral ties level, he expressed hope that bilateral relations would develop and get deeper. Cevik discussed Syrian development and said that if Syria disintegrates, it will affect the whole region, adding that nobody should interfere in Syria and people of the country should take decision on their country's future. Political committee of Iran and Turkey held meeting here on Tuesday under chairmanship of deputy foreign ministers and bilateral relations and ways of accelerating cooperation was considered . Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi said that unfair west imposed sanctions against Iran is an opportunity that cooperation between Iran and Turkey gain speed. He predicted that trade exchange level between Iran and Turkey goes beyond 20 billion dollars in the current year. Deputy foreign ministers, in the committee meeting, consulted and exchanged views on important regional and international issues./end