Iran, Turkey share common interests, threats: President Ahmadinejad

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that the two friendly countries of Iran and Turkey share common interests and threats.

He made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he reiterated that the two countries, through their joint efforts, can conquer all threats and would take advantage from all the existing opportunities.

Underlining the need for further expansion of all-out ties between the two neighboring countries, he stressed that several problems facing the two countries, in the areas of security and economy in particular, are resulted from foreign interference in the domestic affairs of the two countries.

Tehran-Ankara relations would benefit the two countries, the entire region and even the whole World of Islam, the Iranian President emphasized, adding that the Islamic Republic of Iran has no restriction for expansion of ties with its friendly country Turkey.

Referring to the impasse faced by the West both in theory and in practice, he said the world is expecting the new theories.

Calling for removal of the existing obstacles on the way of expansion of bilateral relations between the two neighboring states, he underscored the need for accelerating materialization of the agreements reached between the two states.

Appreciating the stand of the Turkish premier against the Zionist regime, President Ahmadinejad said the Tel Aviv regime is in fact a threat to all nations.

He also appreciated Erdogan’s stand regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, saying when an illegal regime enjoys nuclear weapons other nations have the right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology.

For his part, Erdogan called for further expansion of Tehran-Ankara bilateral cooperation, saying Turkey is determined to boost its amicable ties with the Islamic Republic.

Supporting Iran’s legitimate right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy, he said the so-called advocates of nuclear disarmament in the world should start the move from their own countries.

Erdogan, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran Monday night on a two-day official visit.

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