Turkish FM: Iran’s nuclear issue significant for Ankara

Ankara, May 8, IRNA – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said here Friday that Iran’s nuclear issue is of high importance for Ankara.

At a joint press conference with Botswana’s Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Minister Phandu Skelemani here on Friday, Davutoglu said Turkey has a close eye on Iran’s nuclear issue.

"We are following the issue closely. It is important for regional peace, Turkish-Iranian, Turkish-US relations and global peace," he said

Recalling that he paid a visit to Tehran after nuclear security summit in Washington D.C. and held talks with Iranian officials, Davutoglu said he met with EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton in Brussels. "We are discussing this process with all parties."

Davutoglu said Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki will pay a visit to Istanbul this afternoon, and Mottaki and he would discuss the matter.

Davutoglu said he would also discuss it with Ashton during the Turkish-EU Partnership Council meeting in Brussels on Monday.

Turkey attached importance to dialog and diplomacy, he added./end