Egypt-Turkey cooperation 'essential'
CAIRO — Cooperation between Egypt and Turkey is "essential" to resolving the Middle East's problems, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Monday."[Iran] believes that cooperation between Egypt and Turkey is essential to resolving the Middle East's problems," Amir-Abdollahian said when asked by Anadolu Agency about possible Iranian mediation between Cairo and Ankara.He said Egypt and Turkey "both play roles fighting terrorism in the region," going on to urge both countries to cooperate to serve the interests of the Islamic world.Relations between Cairo and Ankara soured last summer after the Egyptian army ousted elected president Mohamed Morsi.Last November, Egypt downgraded its diplomatic relations with Turkey to the level of charge d'affaires and recalled its ambassador from Ankara. Turkey responded with similar measures.Amir-Abdollahian said his country was ready to assist Egypt in all fields."Iran is ready to help Egypt in the field of economic development and in other domains," he said.The diplomat asserted that Iranian representation at Sunday's inauguration of newly-elected Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi "sends a positive message to the Egyptian people."The Iranian official thanked Egypt for "understanding" Tehran's right to use peaceful nuclear energy, saying Iran was ready to help all friendly nations in the field of nuclear technology.Amir-Abdollahian also said that he had discussed the Syria file with Egyptian officials."Tehran and Cairo share identical views about the Syrian issue," he said.The Iranian diplomat also welcomed a recent reconciliation deal between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah."We believe resistance is the only solution to regaining the Palestinian people's legitimate rights," he said.Amir-Abdollahian went on to describe Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia as "normal.""There is no major problem between the two countries. There are only some misunderstandings about certain regional issues," he said.
Last Update: June 09, 2014 19:54