Iran’s FM Hails ‘Effectual’ Cooperation with Russia, Turkey on Syria
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described joint efforts by Iran, Russia and Turkey for peace in Syria as a useful experience, hoping that it would lead to neighboring countries’ realization of the benefits of interaction.
“We have had an effectual experience (of cooperation) with Russia and Turkey for creating and maintaining peace in Syria,” Zarif said on the sidelines of a gathering in Tehran on Saturday.
“We hope that our neighbors will recognize the benefits of interaction more (than before), remember the realities and know that Iran has good intentions for the region,” he added.
Zarif made the remarks when asked about recent anti-Iran comments by some Turkish officials.
The Iranian top diplomat further reiterated the need for collaborations among all regional countries for countering terrorism and extremism and said fanning “sectarian views” is in no one’s interest.
In a speech at the 53rd Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 19, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized what he called an Iranian “sectarian policy” in the region. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had accused Iran of promoting “Persian nationalism.”
On Friday, Zarif said that Turkish officials had been entangled in the consequences of their “past mistakes” and were now attempting to play a blame game by making accusations against Iran.
