Salehi Turkey Visit Aimed To Consult About Kidnapped Iranians In Syria

Ankara, Aug 8, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said his visit to Turkey aims to talk about kidnapped Iranian pilgrims as well as regional issues. At the airport, Salehi told reporters that he is going to continue consultations with his Turkish counterpart and discuss bilateral issues. Referring to his telephone conversations with Ahmet Davutoglu as well as Qatari officials concerning kidnapped Iranian pilgrims in Syria, Salehi said he had had more than 30 telephone calls with Davutoglu concerning regional issues, especially Syria. He also said that the visit is an opportunity for bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart and added that Iran and Turkey are two important countries of the region and without participation of these two states, regional problems cannot be solved. Salehi continued that solution of Syrian crisis is possible with the help of Iran and Turkey and these two countries can help Syrian nation to achieve their demands. The Iranian top diplomat said that continuation of current situation in Syria will cause increase of radicalism and added that Syria is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and is close to Europe, so in case of emerging extremism and violence in the country, it could spread to other regions. He underlined that continuation of violation and tension in Syria would affect other countries of the region. Now, there are hands to damage the tranquility and peace and minorities who live peacefully together. He expressed hope that the results of his visit to Turkey could have important achievements for both states. Answering a question concerning Turkey's position in current development in the region, Salehi said that, as far as I know, our Turkish brothers have no interferrence in the regional developments and, like Iran, want a peaceful settlement for problems. He said that both countries want fulfillment of Syrian nation demands and, adding that Iran and Turkey believe in freedom of political parties, holding election and elimination of governmental corruption in Syria./end