Iranian foreign minister visits Turkey
ANKARA
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has paid a working visit to Turkey on April 17.
“During the visit, all aspects of our bilateral relations will be discussed, and views on regional and international issues will be exchanged,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a written statement on April 16.
Ahead of his visit to Turkey, Zarif travelled to Syrian capital Damascus on April 16, the official IRNA news agency reported. He met Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and other top regime officials during the visit. Zarif will then fly to Turkey after his visit to Damascus for talks with Turkish officials.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Damascus on April 16, Zarif said he made the visit to hold consolations with Syrian officials about the latest regional and international issues, according to Tasnim News Agency.
His trip also aims to pursue the implementation of the recent agreements reached between the presidents of the two countries, the minister added.
The Iranian top diplomat said that after his visit to Syria, he will travel to Turkey with the same objectives.
Zarif had submitted his resignation on Feb. 25 in protest to Assad’s visit to Tehran, which he was unaware of. His resignation, however, was rejected by President Hassan Rouhani.
On April 10, Moscow hosted a trilateral meeting between the foreign affairs committees of the parliaments of Turkey, Russia, and Iran. The meeting was the first time at the parliamentary level at Turkey’s suggestion in order to contribute to regional peace, security and stability, said a statement by the Turkish parliamentary committee.
