Turkey, Iran pledge greater cooperation over Syria

ANKARA, Turkey — The foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran agreed Friday to boost trade relations and pledged greater cooperation on resolving the Syria crisis despite their divergences on the issue.

At a joint news conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed his country’s support to Turkey over last month’s failed coup attempt by renegade officers within the military that left more than 270 people dead. Turkey has complained of a lack of solidarity from Western allies who have raised concerns over Turkey’s massive crackdown on alleged supporters of a movement led by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Turkey accuses Gulen of orchestrating the coup.

“I congratulate the Turkish nation for the defiance they showed against the coup plotters,” Zarif told reporters, in comments translated into Turkish. “They showed the people of the region that they would not allow democracy and their rights to be taken away from them through coups and the use of force.”

Turkey and Iran have held opposing positions on Syria, with Iran backing the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Turkey advocating his departure.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, however, that despite differences Turkey and Iran “would strengthen cooperation for a lasting peace in Syria.”

Zarif said the two countries converged on the need “to maintain Syria’s territorial integrity, the need for the Syrian people to designate their own future.”

“We all need to stand against the extremism of [the Islamic State group] and al-Nusra,” he added.

The Iranian minister also welcomed recent moves by Turkey and Russia to patch up ties that were soured by Turkey’s downing of a Russian plane near the border with Syria in November.

“Iran always had good relations with both Turkey and Russia. All of the countries in the region must cooperate to bring peace in Syria and fighting against extremism,” Zarif said.

The ministers said they intend to expand trade between the two neighbors, including through the possible increase of natural gas sales to Turkey and more visits by Iranian tourists.

Cavusoglu on Thursday clarified comments on conducting joint operations with Russia against IS in Syria, saying Turkey wanted greater cooperation with Moscow, not joint strikes.

He told reporters that Turkey is seeking “coordination” with Russia on operations against the militant group. “This does not mean that Turkish jets and Russian jets will fly together,” he said.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.