Turkey, Iran to become backbone of regional stability: Davutoğlu

TEHRAN – Anadolu Agency

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu (2R) and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif (2L) pose for a photograph during he Economic Cooperation Organization 21st ministers’ meeting in Tehran, on Nov. 26. AA photo

A growing partnership between Turkey and Iran will enhance the region’s stability, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said in Tehran, where he is attending the Economic Cooperation Organization 21st ministers’ meeting, on Nov. 26.
 
“In my point of view, when Turkey and Iran join hands, this will not only benefit both countries, but also become the backbone of regional stability,” Davutoğlu said, pointing to the potential of further cooperation in energy.
 
“Turkey’s annual energy demand is $60 billion. Turkey is a corridor country, Iran is a producer country. If we fuse both potentials, Turkey could become the corridor of energy provider Iran,” Davutoğlu said. He also added that closer ties would also have a major impact on the sectarian divide in the Middle East.
 
“At a place and time where some try to instigate sectarian conflicts, the dialogue between Iran and Turkey is the most important dialogue in the region,” Davutoğlu said.
 
“It’s now time for cooperation. The dialogue between two regional powers such as Turkey and Iran who share an historic relationship will not only enable our region to gain stability, but also prevent the negative effects of conflicts.”
 
Davutoğlu also praised Iran for the agreement with Western powers in the nuclear talks. “I still remember the 15-hour non-stop meetings that we had on May 17, 2010, here in Tehran. It lasted from six o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock at night, we couldn’t even eat. That’s why I know how hard negotiations on this issue were,” Davutoğlu said.