Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, who returned from a four-day trip to Turkey on Saturday, stated that the Islamic Republic has 'no disagreements on principles' with Turkey. Mr. Rouhani, who participated in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan before returning to Tehran on Saturday, April 17, emphasized the 'development of relations between the two countries in all areas.' According to the Mehr News Agency, the Iranian president mentioned that Ankara and Tehran agree that 'the borders of countries should remain fixed' and 'the disintegration of any country is not acceptable.' Mr. Rouhani added that Iran and Turkey also share consensus on these issues: 'There must be a decisive and serious fight against terrorists in any form and name, and the fate of each country is in the hands of its people, and no foreign power can decide for any country.' The Iranian president also noted that the two countries are 'ready for further consultations and discussions for sharing opinions and also fighting terrorism.' In this context, Reuters reported that the Turkish president also stated that Ankara and Tehran should cooperate to combat terrorism and sectarianism threatening the region. Mr. Erdogan added that both countries are inclined to reduce disagreements on various issues. Turkey and Iran are two long-standing neighbors that, despite close relations, have had many disagreements, especially in recent years. The Syrian crisis has been one of the main points of contention between Tehran and Ankara during this time. The Turkish government seeks the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria, while Iran firmly supports Assad's regime. Nevertheless, economic relations between Tehran and Ankara have always been at a high level. In the press conference on Saturday, Mr. Rouhani assured his Turkish counterpart that Iran can fully ensure the energy security of its neighbor in oil, gas, electricity, and petrochemical products. The Iranian president also stated that Turkish banks can have branches in Iran and invited Turkey to invest in Iran's tourism-related infrastructure.
Rouhani in Ankara: We Have No Disagreements with Turkey on Principles
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that there are no fundamental disagreements between Iran and Turkey during a press conference in Ankara. Both leaders emphasized cooperation against terrorism and maintaining territorial integrity, despite historical tensions, particularly over the Syrian crisis. This meeting highlights the ongoing economic ties and diplomatic efforts between the two nations.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
During a press conference in Ankara, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that there are no fundamental disagreements between Iran and Turkey, emphasizing cooperation against terrorism and maintaining territorial integrity. Both leaders highlighted the importance of economic relations and the potential for further collaboration.
- Rouhani and Erdogan agreed on the need for a unified stance against terrorism and the importance of national sovereignty.
- Despite historical tensions, particularly over the Syrian conflict, economic ties between Iran and Turkey remain strong.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran and Turkey share a complex relationship marked by both cooperation and rivalry, particularly over issues like the Syrian civil war. Their economic ties, however, have remained strong despite political differences.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%