Turkish FM Davutoğlu talks Syria, Iraq and bilateral ties with Iran’s Zarif

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu (R) discussed bilateral relations and regional issues including Syria and Iraq with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif (L) late Jan. 4 in Istanbul. DHA Photo

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu discussed bilateral relations and regional issues including Syria and Iraq with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif late Jan. 4 in Istanbul.

Expressing concerns over the escalating violence in Syria despite calls for cease-fire from both countries, Davutoğlu said they are ready to stop the intensifying humanitarian crisis in Aleppo and alleviate all of Syria’s misery and pain.

The foreign minister also said the two countries aimed at increasing the trade volume up to $30 billion by 2015 and raise it to $50 billion, while the necessary legal framework is being set, adding they decided to establish a “High-Level Cooperation Council” with an eye to improve commercial relations.

Zarif, for his part, said the $30-billion trade target was “achievable and a must” for the two countries, while urging boosting bilateral relations in energy, trade, transportation and other fields. A joint meeting with Azerbaijan and the two countries is also scheduled in upcoming months, said the top Turkish diplomat. Davutoğlu also stated Turkey welcomed the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, as Turkey supported peaceful initiatives to produce nuclear energy without a military agenda behind it.

Both ministers expressed their unease over the recent developments in Iraq, the seizure of some Iraqi towns by al-Qaeda-linked groups and hopes for a peaceful period ahead of national elections on April 30 without ethnic and sectarian clashes.