Pres. Raisi: Iran, Turkey should be ready to upgrade ties from current level to all-inclusive cooperation

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iran's President called the close relations between Iran and Turkey in the interest of peace and stability in the region and said, "Regional cooperation between the two countries should be turned into international cooperation, and this type of interaction can be effective in global equations, given the important position of the two countries".

Speaking with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Monday, Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi referred to the development of relations between the two countries, especially in trade and economic fields as beneficial to both nations, saying, "By finalising the roadmap of development of cooperation, the draft of which is on the agenda of the two countries, Iran and Turkey are ready to upgrade relations from the current level to all-inclusive cooperation".

The President called the close relations between the two neighbours in the interest of peace and stability in the region and said, "Regional cooperation between the two countries should be turned into international cooperation, and this type of interaction can be effective in global equations, given the important position of the two countries".

In another part of his speech, referring to the Islamic Republic's view on the ability of the countries in the region to solve their problems without foreign interference, Mr Raisi said, "The presence of outsiders brings nothing but insecurity and tension between the nations and governments of the region, as the twenty-year presence of the United States in Afghanistan resulted in nothing but murder, bloodshed and destruction, only to become clear that Afghanistan's problems could be solved by the people of this country and with the help of their neighbours".

The President also stressed that ISIS' actions are to the detriment of all countries in the region, saying, "As stated by US officials, ISIS is made by them and, naturally, they work by the order of the Americans and kill and bleed in various countries as their proxy".

Stating that the presence of this terrorist group anywhere in the region is to the detriment of nations, Dr Raisi said, "The fight against terrorism and organised crime can be the focus of cooperation between Tehran and Ankara, and Iran is ready to improve cooperation in this area".

Referring to the Turkish Foreign Minister's remarks on joint cooperation with Iran to stabilise and develop trade relations in the South Caucasus, Ayatollah Raisi said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran has a deep and long-standing religious and cultural bond with the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkey, and we should not allow some foreign actions to damage relations".

At the same meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, "Turkey considers the new government in Iran to be a result-oriented government and is determined to increase the level of cooperation with Tehran".

Referring to the importance of Iran's cooperation and participation in the development of stability and trade in the South Caucasus, the Turkish Foreign Minister said, "We seek to establish and strengthen joint cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran to increase stability and trade relations in the South Caucasus".

Referring to the developments in the region, he also called for cooperation with Iran in the fight against terrorism and the establishment of stability and peace in the region.

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