Turkey acted rationally in supporting Palestine + PIC

Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyib Erdogan

Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyib Erdogan and his accompanying delegation Wednesday lauded the existing deep historical bonds between the two nations of Iran and Turkey, adding that the present cordial ties between the two countries have been unprecedented in the recent few centuries.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the IRI was pleased with the back to back religious and diplomatic achievements of the Turkish nation in internal and international arenas.

Imam Khamenei said the foreign policy of Turkey regarding the world of Islam was fully appropriate and appreciated the policy, saying that Turkey’s stance in supporting the Palestinian people was a correct Islamic and rational move and that such moves would bolster the position of Turkey in the world of Islam.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that the proximity of the Turkish government to the world of Islam would enhance its popularity inside Turkey, at the same time it would attract the support of world Muslims.

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed the pleasure of Islamic Republic of Iran over the country’s international policies and politico-economic approach, adding that the IRI would welcome any move which would bolster the position of the world of Islam and that for the same reason the mutual relations between the two countries are at their best levels ever since the Islamic Republic was established.

Imam Khamenei said the potentials for IRI-Turkey relations were several times its current levels, adding that the seriousness and velocity of both the Premier and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a precious opportunity for expansion of relations between the two countries.

In another part of his talk, Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the Middle East’s situation and said a Western recipe for the regional issues was neither fair nor effective so that it would fail to resolve regional problems including in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Iran and Turkey then must embark on removing the problems in a friendly and brotherly manner,” Imam Khamenei urged Erdogan.

Pointing to US weaknesses and failures in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “We are assured that there are no differences between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey over the Iraqi issues as the two sides are seeking stability, independence, security and unity for Iraq.”

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that stability and independence of Iraq was not in the interest of those who have currently held a grip on Iraq and that contrary to their slogans, they never seek democracy in the country.

Ayatollah Khamenei underlined necessity of precise and premeditated cooperation between the four countries of Iran, Turkey, Syria and Iraq, adding that there are however adversaries to such cooperation.

Imam Khamenei then highlighted the establishment of the group of eight Islamic countries called D8 as a sophisticated move, urging the group to follow up economic, cultural and diplomatic plans more actively than ever.

Premier Erdogan for his part thanked IRI for its hospitality, adding that so far he had held very cordial meetings with Iranian authorities in which the Turkish side could raise and negotiate all issues of interest.

Erdogan then pointed to a meeting of 400 Turkish and Iranian traders, adding that Turkey would make efforts in expanding ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as in adopting a common stance with the country regarding regional and international issues.

Meanwhile, the meeting was also attended by First Vice President