Iran, Turkey Trying to Restore Regional Stability, Cooperation

Turkish foreign minister pointed to the recent conflict erupted between Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh region and said that Iran and Turkey should make their utmost efforts to restore stability in the region. In this regard, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev  proposed a mechanism which was agreed by the presidents of Turkey and Russia. Accordingly, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia before visiting Turkey and consulted about the mechanism dubbed “3+3” with senior officials of the three countries of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. “We expect Armenia to abide by the ceasefire reached between the two countries of Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Turkish foreign minister emphasized. He then pointed to Iran’s nuclear deal, JCPOA, and added, “Turkey supported Iran’s nuclear deal with the United States and European countries.” It is a matter of regret to say that former US President Trump withdrew from JCPOA unilaterally and imposed unjust sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said, adding, “IT is hoped that new US administration will return to Iran’s nuclear deal in order to lift sanctions imposed on Iran.” Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif, for his part, pointed to the sanctions and coronavirus pandemic and said that level of trade and business cooperation between Iran and Turkey decreased due to the sanctions imposed against Iran and also spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. Effective steps have been taken in this regard in order to solve existing problems, he added. Zarif then pointed to the recent developments in Afghanistan and said that trilateral cooperation between Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan will be convened at the request of the Afghanistan government. The two countries of Iran and Turkey enjoy high potentials and capabilities to develop and broaden the level of their cooperation on the issues of mutual concerns. Zarif then pointed to the sanctions imposed by US against Turkey and said, “Islamic Republic of Iran condemns sanctions imposed by US against Turkey. Unfortunately, the US government has been addicted to sanctions and this wrong policy will cost dearly for the whole world.” Turning to the landmark nuclear deal inked between Iran and six world’s major powers in Austrian capital Vienna in mid-July 2015 and stated, “This is while that this international deal was approved by the UN Security Council.” Former US President Trump withdrew from Iran’s nuclear deal in May 2018 unilaterally and imposed tough sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said, adding, “We witnessed that various Turkish banks and companies left Iran due to the sanctions imposed on Iran.” Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif is slated to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to Turkey. Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif said that cooperation of the three countries as guarantors of Astana Peace Talks has alleviated the suffering of Syrian people. In this meeting, constructive talks were held between Iran and Turkey in the fields of transit, trade, business and energy, he said, adding, “Settling problems facing investors and traders of the two countries is the main aim which is followed up strictly.” “We look forwards to the upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Zarif continued. Source: Mehr News Agency