“Iran and Turkey Forge New Path in Diplomatic Dance”
WANA (SEP 3rd) – During the past decade, Iran and Turkey have had a tumultuous relationship characterized by occasional conflict and periods of cooperation. The relationship between the two countries can be compared to a long-lasting marriage, occasionally marked by bickering but never ending in divorce.
Recently, Iran has expanded its foreign policy and started working on its relations with other countries, especially the neighboring countries.
Iran’s supreme leader discussed this new foreign policy in his latest meeting with the parliament. “This policy that you have adopted, building relations with neighbors, is very good. It should be followed. We should have any conflict with any of our neighbors.”
Turkey is one of Iran’s most important and significant neighbors; therefore, Tehran would like to maintain its relationship with this neighbor positively and cooperatively.
Iran and Turkey authorities indeed keep their best appearances among the public, but behind their smiling faces are various problems, including water issues, border and regional security, exchanging prisoners, and other unsolved issues between the two countries.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Tehran, Iran, September 3, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
On September 3rd, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Tehran and met with his Iranian counterpart. The two ministers discussed important issues between the two countries and also regional issues.
This is Fidan’s first visit to Tehran as the Turkish Foreign Minister.
During their long meetings, they discussed various conflicts, including regional issues, given their roles as two of the most powerful countries in the region. “As you know, two countries, Iran and Turkey, are two powerful countries in the region, and this power in the region carries responsibilities on us, and our responsibility is to bring peace and stability in the region.” Said Fidan in his joint press conference with the Iranian Foreign Minister.
The two ministers also discussed potential and current cooperation opportunities. Iran’s Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian announced that the trading value between the two countries is estimated and set at 30 million euros. During the discussion, he brought up the idea of establishing a cooperation committee involving Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. ” Considering Riyadh’s desire to hold a tripartite meeting between Tehran, Ankara, and Riyadh in the future, we should focus on economic, commercial, and investment cooperation as much as possible(between these countries).”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attend a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, September 3, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Iran has not always believed much in the way and quality of Turkey’s fight against Israel’s dangerous political and security actions in the region. Iranians believe that showcasing Turkey’s measures to Israel on the Palestinian issue is more important than their actions. However, addressing the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis and the insecurity that Tel Aviv creates in the region is still an expected point between Iran and Turkey. “We have also emphasized that the presence of the Zionist regime in the region has not resulted in anything other than insurrection and division between Muslim countries and fueling the unsafety (lack of security).” Amir Abdollahian said this in his joint presser with his Turkish counterpart.
Despite their ongoing efforts to mend and improve their complex relationship and cooperation, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving observers to ponder the future of Iran-Turkey relations and hope for the best.
WANA / Writing by S, Khezri and R,Ganji
User comments