Turkey is calling for friendly and neighborly relations with Iran; Turkish political experts tell ILNA

“Ahmad Oisal”, University Professor and Head of Iranian Studies Center, “Sarhan Aghjan”, University Professor and Middle East expert and “Ismaeil Sari”, University Professor and Iran’s expert have attended a meeting and talked to ILNA correspondent regarding Turkish internal and foreign policies and approaches.  

ILNA: Turkey’s multilateral foreign policy toward Iran and Syria, has changed many times. For instance, we’ve witnessed the case in Munich security conference, what do you think is the reason for such changes in Turkey's policies? 

Turkey has entered the tensions in support of Syrian people. As such, regarding disagreements about many issues between the two countries, these challenges and controversies seem to be normal, but Turkey has always tried to move toward progressing bilateral relations. Putting aside the Syrian conflict, Turkey has never wanted to demolish the two sides’ relations. About Syria, we have to mention that the Turkish government is facing challenges regarding refugees and terrorism situation and ISIS and Kurd groups are actively operating terroristic offensives. Turkey is hurt by their terroristic presence and the issue should be addressed. We tried to discuss the matter in Astana talks.  

Turkey has never taken Iran as an enemy and always looked for friendly relations with its neighboring country. Such disputes shouldn’t affect our relations.  

Among the Turkish people, there’s a saying that “bitter friend talks”. These critical remarks shouldn’t be taken as animosity and hostile approach. For instance regarding the Yemen’s war we witness that the refugees again seek their ways toward Turkey.  

In my opinion, Astana and Genève talks should concluded as soon as possible, because the time is not in favor of the Syrian nation.  

Meanwhile we thank Iran’s government and people for their positions toward the coup in Turkey and we have to note that in nuclear talks and the sanctions, Turkey supported Iran and as always stands shoulder to shoulder by Iranian people.  

ILNA: Don’t you think, Turkish military presence in Iraq and Syria without coordinating with their governments has questioned their democracy and sovereignty? 

No, in fact, the government is not controlling those regions and the area is under terroristic groups reign. They attack Turkey from those regions and in this respect, our presence in these places is an act of self defense. Turkey didn’t send its troops from the beginning and we started taking part militaristically at the time when we deemed the act necessary. This presence is not permanent, and we had meetings for strengthening our borders in order to further curb terroristic activities.  

As a whole, Turkish presence in the region is for providing security and safety for the people of these regions. Besides, Turkey is looking for preventing Kurdish regions to separate from their governments.  

ILNA: How Turkish approach after the coup and what has happened has influenced its membership process in EU? 

We know, that some western countries were happy by the coup and at the time when the government was successfully fighting back the coup, they also turned back to democracy in the nation.  

Turkey is taking its preventive measures to stop such actions from happening in the future, many of which are not in favor of some western countries. Turkey is interested in keeping its relations with these countries and develop the ties but the point is that becoming a member of EU is not as popular as the past. If EU won’t close its doors to Turkey, Ankara is ready to join it.  

ILNA: Greece and Turkey’s relations due to the coup, Cyprus islands and the taking refugees of some of the coup agents has seen challenges. How do you evaluate that? 

We don’t have specific problem in our relations and don’t see particular tensions. Although some of Greece’s claims, have sometimes influenced the negotiations. We have talks regarding taking back some coup members.

END