President Ahmadinejad: Iran-Turkey relations good, friendly

IRI President said at a press conference on sidelines of 25th OIC Economic Summit here, “Iran-Turkey relations are good and friendly and various energy and gas agreements were reached in this trip, which we hope would be implemented at service of both nations’ interests.

According to IRNA’s dispatched reporter to Turkey, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who was speaking to the press at Istanbul’s Jilan Hotel, added, “Our relation with Turkey is brotherly and based on full mutual trust; our countries have comprehensive cooperation, and no problem exists between the two countries.”
Regarding the country’s nuclear program, President Ahmadinejad said that Iran has proposed that it would purchase highly enriched uranium for the Tehran Research Reactor to pave the way for more cooperation.
Ahmadinejad said that Tehran is seeking dialogue and cooperation not confrontation.
He noted that the Western opposition to Iran's nuclear program is political and not legal or technical.
“The only way is… cooperation and dialogue with Iran,” the president said, adding, “We presented them a proposal: Stop the confrontation with us and choose the way for cooperation and dialogue.”

Following three days of negotiations in Geneva starting on October 19, the major powers put forward a proposal, suggesting that Iran would send about 70 percent of its low-enriched uranium stockpile out of the country in exchange for metal fuel rods for the Tehran medical research reactor, which manufactures medical radioisotopes.
Iran has said that it would accept the essential elements of the proposal but has also sought modifications to the formula.
Ahmadinejad said that certain countries had “sided against Iran because they want to rule the entire world.”
“Peaceful nuclear energy is a natural right of Iran,” Ahmadinejad added.
Elsewhere in the conference the IRI President said that the Zionists’ life era is over, arguing, “The Israelis want the nations to be put before their done act, but it is now made clear for everyone that their life era is quite over.”
Pointing out that Israel is like a vehicle that is out of order now, added, “The farther we go in time Israel’s loss gets greater because the region’s major issue is the Holy Qods.”
He emphasized, “The Zionists’ supporters must change their nature and choose only one, between the regional nations and supporting Israel.”
Elsewhere in the press conference Ahmadinejad referred to the hegemonic powers, particularly the United States’ efforts aimed at transferring their own problems to the other countries, arguing, “Severing relations with powerful currencies such as the US dollar equals immunizing a part of our national economies in confrontation with hegemonic powers, while dealing with our national currencies would be to our nations’ favor.”
He said, “The world double standards need to be changed as they are the roots of the international crises, and the establishment of a new world order is a need today.”
Pointing out that the era of the atomic bombs is over today, the president said, “Those who stockpile atomic bombs are fools.”
Referring to the US President Barack Obama’s claimed changes, he said, “These changes must be observed in practice and Iran would assist the United States in ushering major changes.”
He added, “Supporting the Zionist regime and extending a hand for friendship with regional nations cannot go together. Obama must confront the Zionists.”
Evaluating the OIC Istanbul Economic Summit as a success in harmonizing the minds of the Islamic countries for cooperation and planning, he said, “Turkey’s membership in the European Union would be to the EU’s benefit,” adding, “It is the EU that should file a request for Turkey’s membership in it, and give concession to make that happen.”
He added, “It is the great Turkish government’s right to establish ties with those countries it wishes to.”
Elsewhere in the press conference Ahmadinejad said, “The colonial era concepts, such as the international community and grading the countries into those that have relations with Europe and those that don’t are today meaningless; and Turkey, Iran, and Asia are the cradles for human civilization, while some European countries are the symbols of inhumane acts.”
Pointing out that Iran is seriously opposed to clashes among nations and groups, as well as disputes between nations and governments, he said, “The entire disputes can be solved through holding dialogues.”
Regarding the confrontations in Yemen, the President said, “We invite the entire involved parties in Yemen dispute to observe self-restraint and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s definite policy is strengthening the foundations of unity and brotherhood among entire nations. The prevailing conditions in Yemen are to the loss of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the entire region, and ending massacre of the human beings is the order of God, Islam, and in accordance with the Iranian culture.”
Touching on Tehran-Moscow cooperation, the IRI President said that such ties are comprehensive and satisfactory and still expanding, including in nuclear technology, adding, “Technical cooperation in nuclear field is not political.”

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