IRNA – First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Saturday that Iran dismisses territorial claims of the United Arab Emirates in the context of anti-Iran campaign.


Jahangiri made the remarks in a meeting with Turkish Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci.

Jahangiri made clear that the final statement released by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and Turkey conveys anti-Iran message.

He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran was happy to see failure of the military coup in Turkey and believes that Turkey and the entire region survived from a major threat.

The Iranian government and nation from early hours of the coup in Turkey voiced solidarity with Turkish government and under such circumstances the real friends and enemies could be distinguished, Jahangiri said.

Tehran and Ankara might be at odds on regional developments, but, Iran never leaves Turkey alone vis-a-vis regional threats posed to Turkey and the elements of disability in the region, Jahangiri said.

'If Iran and Turkey reach a common understanding on regional threats, they can read the cards and ruin their play,' he said.

Iran does not to like to see that Turkey's stand to be the same as Riyadh about the developments in Baghdad, the situation of the Shia Muslim community in Iraq as Riyadh backs terrorists and Daesh and Iran distinguishes between stand taken by Ankara and Riyadh.

All should do their best to avoid discords between Shia and Sunni Muslims in order to restore stability in the Middle East region, he said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is to increase level of cooperation and relations with
Turkey and speed up removal of barriers to this end, he said.

Jahangiri said that level of economic cooperation between Iran and Turkey is on rise requiring contribution and vigilance of the two governments.

On Iran-Turkey Joint Economic Commission meeting, he said the two nations expect the commission help remove existing obstacles to this end, he said.

Turkish economic minister, for his part said it is about two years that Iran and Turkey have signed a contract on preferential tariffs which led to growth of trade (imports and exports) between the two sides.

Recent military coup in Turkey was very costly for Turkey but fortunately the country survived and overcame all difficulties, he said.

Turkey appreciates Iranian support and that the Iranian government stood by the Turkish government during the coup, he said.

He called for immediate removal of economic hurdles to meet both sides interests, said the Turkish minister.

Turkey expects to open its trade centers in other countries and it is expected the first center to open in Tehran, he said.

Iran and Turkey have developed cooperation on various fields such as industry, mines, agriculture, iron and steel, he said adding that the Iranian and Turkish companies can broaden their economic cooperation in a third country.

Turkey is to play active role mainly after removal of economic sanctions posed against Iran as the two sides fate are interrelated, he said.