Erdoğan welcomes Iranian president in Ankara after 'terrorism' row

ANKARA

AA photo

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has reiterated Turkey's determination to fight terror during a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Ankara, before President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed him at the presidential palace on April 16.

The two leaders were expected to discuss regional issues along with the the 13th Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul. 

The summit ended April 15 with a communique that criticized Iran for “supporting terrorism” on April 15in in Istanbul.

According to prime ministry sources, the closed-door meeting between Davutoğlu and Rouhani lasted about two hours on April 15.

The sources said Davutoğlu reiterated Turkey's resolve over fighting against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) - the Iranian arm of the PKK.

Rouhani said ISIL, the PKK and its extensions were the common enemy of Turkey and Iran.

The PKK - listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU - resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July.

The prime ministry sources said that the two talked over the regional issues especially about the solution of Syrian crisis.

Davutoğlu and Rouhani also agreed to improve economic cooperation between the two countries.