‘Iran, Turkey regional heavyweights’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran and Turkey are two “major and influential” regional countries which can contribute to peace in the Middle East.

Zarif said upon his arrival in Istanbul on Friday: “The two countries can exchange views and work together to invite conflicting parties in the region to dialog and take steps toward the establishment of peace and security in the region.”
He added that he would deliver a speech at the 60th Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, “Dialogue, Disarmament, and Regional and Global Security,” in Istanbul on Friday.
Zarif noted that he would also discuss a range of issues, including bilateral and regional questions, in separate meetings with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara.
The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Istanbul after he wrapped up an official visit to South Africa.
The Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers previously met on the sidelines of the 68th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23.
The two men discussed ways to enhance Tehran-Ankara ties, the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict in Syria and the Iranian nuclear issue.