Iran, Turkey will continue talks about Syria: Deputy FM

Iran and Turkey have agreed to exchange delegations and proceed with negotiations on ways to solve Syria's five-year crisis, Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari says.

“The continuation of consultations between influential players in the Syrian crisis can prepare the necessary grounds for the settlement of the crisis,” Jaberi Ansari told reporters in Tehran on Monday, Press TV reported.

He said Turkey is an important and influential country in the Middle East and added that he would pay a visit to Ankara to hold detailed talks with Turkish officials about key regional issues.

The diplomat noted that Tehran and Ankara have always held close consultation on the Syrian crisis since its outbreak some five years ago.

Jaberi Ansari said maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, forming a national and all-inclusive government and ensuring that the Arab country’s fate by is decided by its own people are the general principles sought by both Iran and Turkey.

He expressed hope that intensive efforts by regional countries, including Iran, Turkey and Russia, would end the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria as soon as possible.

“The continuation of the [Syrian] crisis will not be in the favor of any country or nation in the region and even international players who think that the current situation is in their own favor…are mistaken,” the Iranian official said.

SS