Iran's Rouhani praises relations with Turkey

By Muhammet Kursun</p> <p>TEHRAN (AA) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday hailed his country’s close ties with Turkey and called for stepped-up economic relations.</p> <p>Speaking to reporters at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, Rouhani — now on a state visit to Turkey at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — said that economic relations would top the agenda of talks at a Thursday meeting in Ankara between the two leaders.</p> <p>On Thursday, Rouhani is slated to attend the fifth session of the Turkey-Iran Cooperation Council in the Turkish capital. </p> <p>“We will discuss means of enhancing ties and overcoming the obstacles to achieving that goal,” Rouhani said, adding: “Turkey is extremely important to Iran.” </p> <p>“We share deep historical, cultural and religious ties,” the Iranian president said. “In recent months, Turkey — and especially President Erdogan — has taken a firm stance against the U.S. sanctions [on Iran].”</p> <p>In reference to recent tripartite talks on Syria between Turkey, Iran and Russia, he said: “We’re pursuing two very important issues: the security of Syria and the return of refugees.”</p> <p>He added: “But Syria’s future must be decided by Syrians.”