Turkey expects effective Iranian role in Geneva II talks

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif following a meeting in Istanbul Jan. 5.

Turkey expressed its expectation for effective and constructive contribution from Iran in efforts for resolving the Syrian crisis through the key Geneva II conference to be held this week in Montreux. 

In the run-up to the Geneva II conference, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, on the day Iran accepted joining the conference upon U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s invitation. 

Davutoğlu expressed Turkey’s intention to continue its close cooperation with Iran, underlining the need for an immediate halt of military operations by the Syrian regime and for providing humanitarian assistance to the regions in need, according to diplomatic sources. 

The Iranian minister agreed on the need of a close dialogue between Turkey and Iran for resolving the problem in Syria, expressing his country’s willingness for a peaceful solution to the problem. 
Davutoğlu and Zarif also discussed preparations for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Iran, which is expected to take place in late January.