Zarif Reiterates Need for Cooperation to Eliminate Terrorism in Syria, Restore Security, Stability

ANKARA-Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reiterated the need for cooperation to eliminate terrorism in Syria and to restore security and stability to the country.   

During his joint press conference with Cavusoglu, Zarif said Tehran and Ankara have a common goal to improve cooperation on the fight against terrorism and extremism despite their differences on some issues, Press TV reported.

“The two countries have a common opinion and goal to jointly fight terrorism, extremism and sectarianism, and despite the existence of different views on some issues, we share a common stance on [protecting] Syria’s territorial integrity” and fighting terrorist organizations in Syria,” Zarif said.

 He emphasized that Iran “has always had positive dialogues with Turkey on the Syria subject,” adding that Tehran and Ankara share the view that the Arab country’s future must be decided by the Syrian people.

The top Iranian diplomat went on to say that Tehran would strengthen its cooperation with Ankara in different fields.

Zarif also hailed the improvement of Russia-Turkey relations and their new efforts to stem the crisis in Syria.

“We also have great ties with Russia on the [Syrian] issue and we believe that all parties must cooperate to provide security and peace and stop the conflicts” in the region, the Iranian foreign minister said, adding, “We are ready to co-operate with both Turkey and Syria on this issue.”

In the Friday press conference, the Turkish foreign minister also said Iran and Turkey agree on a number of issues, “especially on Syrian territorial integrity.”

“On some issues, we have different views but we have never cut dialogue. We have emphasized since the outset [of the crisis in Syria] the importance of the constructive role Iran plays for a permanent solution in Syria,” he added.

Press TV

H.M