FM Spokesman: Tehran-Ankara Strategic Ties Should Not Be Damaged

Tehran, April 7, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mihman-parast said that Tehran-Ankara strategic ties should not be damaged, adding that only stances taken by the related officials should be the basis of evaluation and practice. He also emphasized that remarks made by different people should not have any negative effects on bilateral relations. Mihman-parast, replying a question concerning Iran-Turkey relations and statements by different persons, said that Iran and Turkey, as two powerful and effective countries in the region with plenty of historical, cultural and religious commonalities, have strategic relations and close stances in most of the international and political issues. He referred to recent visit of Turkish premier to Iran and his meetings with senior officials and called his meeting with the supreme leader of Islamic revolution very positive and constructive. The spokesman, by underlining Iran’s transparent and principled stances on different political issues, especially in relations with regional developments, said that political disagreements in a number of regional issues is natural. 'By consultation and exchanging views between regional countries, their stances can be closer to each other and lead to choosing the best solution.' Mihman-parast added that Iran has always declared its viewpoints with full honesty and frankness and has made effective efforts to establish security and stability in the region. 'Iran, as a basic principle, believes in regional cooperation and does not permit trans-regional countries to interfere in domestic affairs of the region,' said the spokesman./end