“Turkish officials consider the promotion of ties with important Middle Eastern countries as the only solution to regional issues,” Mazaheri told the Mehr News Agency in comments on the recent visit to Tehran by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
At this juncture, Turkey has started extensive efforts to boost its relations with neighboring states, he added.
The efforts of the Turkish officials to find a negotiated solution to Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West and the frequent visits to Ankara by the U.S. and European officials to hold talks over Iran’s nuclear issue have prompted some Western media to refer to Turkey as the possible mediator between Iran and the West, he stated.
As the neighboring country is conducting an active diplomacy to reduce regional tensions it is also looking to the European countries to give it the green light to gain accession to the European Union, the academic noted.
Mazaheri said that Turkey places great importance on its economic relations with Iran, therefore any conflict between Iran and the West will endanger the economic interests of Turkey which is looking to Iran to provide it with its required energy.
RS/HL/MS
End
MNA
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