Pres. Rouhani: Iran, Turkey anchors of stability in ME

Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday in Tehran, Dr Hassan Rouhani said: "Development of banking relations, doing trade with the national currency, and 24/7 operation of three border crossings between Iran and Turkey were among the decisions made today during intensive talks".

We had detailed discussions on issues in the region, said Rouhani adding: "The two countries considered separatism and intensification of ethnic and religious disagreements in the region as the result of efforts by foreigners, and any change in geographical boundaries will not be acceptable at all".

Referring to the importance of transit of goods between the two countries at three important border crossings and the need to provide facilities in customs, Dr Rouhani said "These measures could help to develop the level of relations between the two countries, and today it was decided that three border crossings work 24/7, two of which to start work from tomorrow".

The president also said: "Regarding relations between the two countries in the field of investment, the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that it would provide facilities for Turkish investors, especially in the fields of petrochemicals, tourism, infrastructure and transportation".

Dr Rouhani also added: "Regarding relations in the oil and gas sectors, it was decided that the Turkish side would take more gas from Iran and that negotiations between the two related ministries would be carried out in this regard".

The president continued: "The governments of Iran and Turkey are determined to increase the amount of trade between the two countries to $30 billion a year".

"The two countries favour no change in the geographical boundaries, territorial integrity of countries as well as the stability and security of the region," said Rouhani adding that in the case of Syria, tripartite talks with Russia will take place within the framework of the Astana talks, and in the case of Iraq, tripartite negotiations between the two countries and the central government of Iraq will continue.

The president stated: "Iran and Turkey do not accept separatism and the escalation of ethnic and religious disagreements designed by conspirators and foreigners for our region, and from the point of view of the two countries, Iraq and Syria are integrated countries and we will not accept changing the geographical boundaries under any condition".

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also said: "The people of Iraqi Kurdistan are our good neighbours and dear brothers, and we do not wish any pressure to be put on them, but the wrong decisions some leaders of the Region have made should be compensated, and in this regard, Iran, Turkey and Iraq have no choice but to make decisions pursue their strategic goals in the region".

Stressing that combatting terrorism is one of the most important goals of Iran and Turkey, he said: "We must fight any terrorist group, whether they are called ISIL, al-Nusra Front or P.K.K. The terrorists must know that the governments and powers of the region will not allow them to conduct cowardly and inhumane activities".

During the press conference, the President Erdoğan of Turkey noted: "Today, we decided to promote the level of cooperation between the central banks of the two countries and other banks, and use our own national currencies to save our economic relations from currency pressures".

The Turkish president also emphasised Turkey's interest in investing in energy and tourism.

"We do not recognise the illegal referendum conducted by the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and no country has supported the move by Kurdish Region anywhere in the world except Israel," Erdoğan said.

The Turkish president stated: "In our view, the decision taken by negotiating the Mossad is in no way legitimate and acceptable," adding that Turkey considers the Kurdish referendum as illegitimate.

He continued: "We also discussed a tripartite mechanism for Syria, and Iran, Russia and Turkey have started the process of negotiations in Astana, and we have taken steps within that framework".

Emphasising joint fight in Syria against ISIL and al-Nusra Front, Erdoğan said: "I am sure that as the result of this fight, we will help the oppressed Syrian people and common efforts to defend all the oppressed people of the world is our duty".




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