The foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran have pledged greater cooperation on resolving the Syria crisis despite their differences.
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The 32 are among 208 Foreign Ministry personnel who were recalled to be assigned at the ministry’s headquarters, Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif. Turkey has complained of a lack of solidarity from Western allies who have raised concerns over Turkey’s massive crackdown on alleged supporters of a movement led by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. “They showed the people of the region that they would not allow democracy and their rights to be taken away from them through coups and the use of force”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif expressed support to Turkish government over last month’s abortive coup.
He asserted that Ali Larijani, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament is speculated to pay an official visit to Turkey while the Turkish Economy Minister, Nihat Zeybekci, is scheduled to visit Tehran.
But Cavusoglu said: “We will closely cooperate on these issues (on Syria) after this meeting”.
Both countries “wanted to protect the territorial integrity of Syria and that Syrian people must determine their own future”, he said.
“We believe all sides should work together to return tranquility and calm to the region and fight extremism in Syria”, he said.
Turkey also wants to boost economic ties with Iran with the purchase of additional natural gas, Cavusoglu said, adding they also discussed the transfer of Iranian gas to Europe.
On Thursday, Turkish Ambassador in Moscow Umit Yardim told reporters that Turkey and Russian Federation will start active consultations on Syria in the nearest future.
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He told reporters that Turkey is seeking “coordination” with Russian Federation on operations against the militant group.
