Turkey, Iran security cooperation ‘vital’ for region: Turkish Interior Minister

TEHRAN

Cooperation on security between Turkey and its neighbor Iran is “vital” for the region, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said on Dec. 9.

Soylu’s remarks came during a news conference after a security meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abdolreza Rahmani Fazlı in Tehran.

“To create peace and prosperity as well as lasting security in the region it is essential that the two major building blocks of a large civilization - Iran and Turkey - come together, especially in security matters,” Soylu said.

The interior minister said he and Fazlı discussed issues such as terrorism, immigration, border issues, drugs trafficking and organized crime.

For his part, Iranian interior minister said Turkey and Iran shared common concerns. “The two countries have achieved success in security,” he said.

“With cooperation between Iran, Turkey and other regional states, we will end new tensions,” Fazlı said, citing the example of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

“An advanced relationship in trade, politics, economy, and security between the two countries could set an example for the entire region and create infrastructure for regional peace,” he added.