Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Aminzadeh delivered a written message from Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in Ankara on Tuesday, according to IRNA.
During the meeting, Turkey's President extended his gratitude to his Iranian counterpart, calling for strengthening bilateral relations in various fields. Earlier, visiting Aminzadeh met with Turkey's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem.
Referring to good relations between Tehran and Ankara, the Turkish Minister said, "The time is now appropriate for Iran and Turkey to bolster bilateral political, economic and security cooperation."
Cem also pointed out the inauguration of the Iranian gas-supply project as a strategic cooperation between the two neighboring states. The two sides stressed phase two of the Iran-Turkey gas pipeline, which aims at transferring Iranian gas to Europe through Turkish territory.
Regarding Iran's views on regional issues, Aminzadeh said that his country has thus far taken major measures toward the stabilization of Afghanistan's interim government and would make every effort to help this war-torn country establish peace and stability.
Exchanging views on Iraq, the Iranian and Turkish officials emphasized Iraq's territorial integrity.
In a separate meting, Aminzadeh and the Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal explored ways to advance diplomatic and security cooperation between the two countries. Aminzadeh described his discussions with Ziyal as positive and manifesting the good ties between Ankara and Tehran.
He said he discussed future Tehran-Ankara relations in cultural and economic realms, and emphasized the contribution of diplomatic visits in promoting bilateral ties. Aminzadeh said the Islamic Republic attaches great importance to developing mutual relations with Turkey in all fields, and said Tehran believes that Ankara shares the same understanding regarding bilateral relations.
For his part, Ziyal described the Tuesday talks between Iranian and Turkish delegates as good and constructive.
He expressed satisfaction over the similar viewpoint shared by Tehran and Ankara on all areas discussed.
Aminzadeh, who arrived in Ankara on Monday for talks on matters of mutual interests, left on Tuesday. (Albawaba.com)
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