On Sunday night, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and emphasized the deep historical, cultural and brotherly ties between Iran and Turkey. He said the bilateral relationship has been reliable for many years and has the potential for further expansion. Mr. Pezeshkian pointed out that no external force will be able to cause problems for Islamic countries if they act with unified determination, based on unity, unity and shared experience.
The President stressed the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation between Islamic countries, adding that many of the region’s current crises stem from conspiracies and deliberate attempts by interventionists to foment division. Their ultimate aim is to impose wrong policies in the region and hinder the progress and development of Islamic countries, he said.
Drawing comparisons with Europe, Pezeshkian noted that despite centuries of wars and conflicts, European countries have managed to grow closer, establish common financial and political structures, and integrate trade and transportation networks. He argued that the Islamic world, underpinned by much deeper cultural and civilizational commonalities, could similarly achieve united cooperation and collective development by linking trade, knowledge and cultural flows.
Mr. Pezeshkian stressed that at a time when common adversaries are increasing pressure on Islamic countries, Islamic countries must promote each other’s progress and avoid complicating existing challenges. “We are brothers and we must expand our relations,” he said, adding that the boundaries of trade, science and culture can never be crossed by terrorism or weapons.
Mr. Fidan conveyed to Mr. Pezeshkian the Turkish President’s warm greetings and delivered a special message emphasizing the need to strengthen commercial, economic and regional cooperation between Tehran and Ankara.
Mr. Fidan praised Mr. Pezeshkian’s sincere and principled outlook on the Islamic world, and said that Turkey fully shares these views. He said internal conflicts within the Islamic world were wasting precious time and today’s global moment requires joint and collective cooperation among Islamic countries.
The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed that now is the time for Islamic countries to take concerted and fair steps to advance cooperation. He added that countries such as Iran and Turkey, along with other Islamic states, can jointly remove major obstacles facing the Islamic ummah.
Referring to the development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Minister Fidan said that since the victory of the revolution, Iran has advanced with amazing speed and dynamism “like an arrow from a bow.”
MNA/6673699