Iran, Turkey ready to expand cooperation in all areas
Iranian President Rouhani in a meeting with Turkish counterpart Erdoğan said Tehran values relations with Ankara and is ready to expand cooperation in all areas, including combating terrorism and resolving regional crises.
“We are ready to develop ties with Ankara in all fields and sectors, including transportation, industry and energy,” said President Rouhani on Tuesday evening on the sidelines of the 71st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
He went on to stress that the private sectors of both countries should receive more support for developing bilateral cooperation.
He also referred to the recent failed coup in Turkey, adding “it was very upsetting for us to witness insecurity and coup in Turkey against a government that is supported by the people’s votes. From the very first moments, Iran utilized all its resources to restore stability and security to Turkey.”
He went on to stress that the coup was the result of a chain of events triggered by certain powers against our region, adding “we have no doubt that with joint efforts we can foil the plot the enemy has devised for us.”
Elsewhere in his speech, President Rouhani touched upon the topics of terrorism and its perils for the region and the world, adding “terrorism is a threat against all of us and the two countries have a significant role in combating terrorism and insecurity in the region, particularly in Syria and Iraq.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the Iranian government and nation for supporting Turkey in the recent coup, and voiced confidence that the Islamic Republic would continue its support for Turkey.
Erdoğan deemed the enemies of the Islamic world as the ultimate winners of all insecurities and conflicts in the region, and highlighted that players outside the region are not able to resolve regional issues; “Iran and Turkey are two major Islamic countries in the region and can work together to have a more decisive role in settling crises and creating stability, particularly in Syria and Iraq.”
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