Turkish parliamentary committee to visit Iran

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

A delegation of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee will visit the Iranian capital Tehran, the committee head said on Jan. 9.

Volkan Bozkır made the remarks before meeting Iran’s ambassador to Ankara, Mohammad Ebrahim Taherian Fard. No specific date for the visit was announced.

Bozkır said the ambassador had formally invited the committee to Iran, for which they were pleased and honored.

He said Turkey desired peace and stability in Iran and wanted the welfare of its neighboring country to increase.

Referring to recent anti-government protests in Iran, Bozkır highlighted the role of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s remarks in controlling the situation.

“His remarks played an important role” in calming the protesters, he said.

On Jan. 7, Rouhani warned Iranians against the ongoing anti-government protests across the country.

“We should avoid putting the country in a situation that would allow enemies to take advantage,” Rouhani said following a cabinet meeting.

On Dec. 28, 2017, thousands took to the streets in Iran’s northeastern cities of Mashhad and Kashmar to protest against rising inflation, unemployment and perceived government mismanagement.

The protests later turned into anti-regime rallies, spreading to the provinces of Tehran, Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Zanjan, Ahvaz and Arak.

More than 20 people were killed in the demonstrations, including at least one police officer, while more than 1,000 others were detained by authorities.

Bozkır said Turkey would continue to make efforts to increase political, economic and cultural cooperation with Iran.

Meanwhile, Fard said Turkish Parliament’s contribution to improving relations between the two countries was important for Iran.

He thanked Turkish authorities for their “correct remarks” on the situation in Iran.