Iran Press/Asia: The Iranian president Hassan Rouhani on Monday met his Turkish counterpart in the country's capital Ankara, ahead of the trilateral summit on Syria later in the day.
In this meeting, Rouhani said that Iran considers itself responsible to ensure regional waterways security, Iran Press reported citing the official website of the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey described relations and cooperation between the two countries amicable, strong and developing in many fields, stressing the importance of authorities’ work to develop and deepen Tehran-Ankara relations.
Appreciating the warm hospitality of the Turkish government and people, the President expressed hope that the visit yields good results for both nations and the region, especially the people of Syria.
"Iran welcomes Turkish investors and private sector’s presence and participation in implementing common projects," he said.
Iran and Turkey have close points of view in combatting terrorism, he said, adding, "Fortunately, good developments have been made in defense-related cooperation between the two countries. Therefore, Iran-Turkey cooperation in ensuring security in common borders and the region will promote."
The President emphasized: "The pattern of Iran-Turkey trilateral cooperation with Russia in ensuring the security of the region could contribute to the development and stability of the region and the two nations through trilateral and multilateral economic cooperation with neighbors."
Rouhani said, "Guaranteeing the security of the Persian Gulf waterways, the Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz has always been important for Iran as the largest littoral state," adding that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself responsible to ensure regional waterways security.
The president emphasized, "The security of regional waterways has to be protected only by its littoral states, and that the presence of US forces and them inviting other countries to be present in the region will only increase the existing problems and tensions."
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Rouhani also described the attacks on Yemen as the result of miscalculations and misleading US addresses, saying: "We must all work to bring stability back to Yemen with the participation of the United Nations."
Pointing out that cooperation between the two countries, which guarantees the Astana Process, has made Syria more secure, he said, “We must help the Syrian government in fighting the remaining terrorists, especially in Idlib and the Eastern Euphrates until the terrorists are eradicated from the region”.
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At the same meeting, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an referred to the friendly and brotherly relations between Iran and Turkey, saying: "We are determined to continue the great steps taken in the relations between the two countries."
The Turkish President added, “Trade cooperation between the two countries using national currencies has grown significantly and this trend will continue”.
Erdogan also said, "The US sanctions against Iran are unconstructive, and in the Turkish government's view, preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an important symbol of the success of dialogue and diplomacy."
"We hope that as a result of today's summit and finalization of the previous summit’s agreements in Sochi brings stability and security to the region, especially in Idlib," he continued.
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