Turkey FM: Iran-West row should be resolved within int’l law framework
Tehran a reliable energy supplier for Ankara: Araghchi
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday that Ankara believes that differences between Iran and the West over Tehran’s nuclear program should be resolved within the framework of international law and through dialogue.
“Turkey has always stood by Iran and will continue to stand by Iran. We believe that these differences should be resolved within the framework of international law and through dialogue. Iran should also be integrated into the international community on economic and other issues,” Fidan said, while addressing a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Tehran.
The Turkish foreign minister also pointed to the sanctions the West has imposed on Iran over the past decades, saying that the “unjust sanctions” must be lifted and Turkey will do its utmost to help the removal of sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program.
Fidan said they also discussed developments in the region, especially Israel’s acts of aggression against the regional countries, continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza and the cessation of attacks in the occupied West Bank and al-Quds.
“We believe that the international community must fulfill its responsibilities regarding the issues of Syria and the expansion of Israeli aggression in the region," he added.
Iran’s foreign minister, for his part, said Tehran and Ankara have common concerns about the regional issues.
“The issue of Palestine and the need for joint cooperation to stop the killing of the oppressed people of Gaza were among the most important topics of today's talks. The repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and the recent attacks by the Zionist regime on Lebanon and Syria show that this regime is pursuing larger plans to destabilize the region,” Araghchi said.
He also referred to the developments in Syria and Israel’s attacks on the Arab country, saying, "The most important threat to the security and stability of Syria comes from the Zionist regime and its occupation. It is the duty of the regional countries to stand against the aggression and expansionism of the Zionist regime, including in Syria and Lebanon."
The two diplomats also discussed the economic relations between the two countries.
Araghchi said that Iran is one of the most reliable energy suppliers for Turkey, adding that Iran has announced its readiness to extend a long-standing gas contract with Turkey and develop cooperation in the field of electricity.
Iran currently supplies Turkey with about 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually under a contract signed in 2001. The 25-year agreement is set to expire in mid 2026.
Turkey has requested increased supplies due to rising energy demand in both household consumption and the manufacturing sector.
In July 2022, Iran and Turkey agreed to begin negotiations on a new gas export deal.
He also expressed the need to remove obstacles facing trade and investment between the two neighboring countries.
Establishment of joint free zones and the activation of a new border crossing as well as the connection of the railways of the two countries were also discussed during the meeting.
Araghchi added that the two sides agreed to hold the meetings of the High-Level Cooperation Council and the Joint Economic Commission to specifically address the issues.
Iran-Saudi talks
Also on Sunday, the Iranian foreign minister hosted Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Saud bin Mohammed Al-Sati, in Tehran.
During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral ties and regional issues including developments in Syria, Palestinian territories and Lebanon.