- Title: IRAN-NUCLEAR/TURKEY FM Turkey, Iraq welcome Iran deal
- Date: 14th July 2015
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (JULY 14, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER, MEVLUT CAVUSOGLU, GREETING IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER, IBRAHIM AL-JAAFARI JAAFARI AND CAVUSOGLU ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING A PICTURE (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER, MEVLUT CAVUSOGLU, SAYING: "It is important that this deal is implem
- Embargoed: 29th July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA2K3G7NGSKN5EL4OL4SUG04NO8
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Turkey welcomed the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers on Tuesday (July 14), saying it was of vital importance for the stability of the Middle East.
But Ankara urged Tehran to rethink its policies in Syria and Yemen.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said transparent implementation of the deal would now be key and that the easing of sanctions would be of economic benefit to Turkey, which is one of Iran's major trading partners.
"It is important that this deal is implemented transparently in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international agencies in the coming months. Of course, implementation of this deal will contribute to the stability of the region. At the same time, the lifting of sanctions will contribute to the regional economy and will have a direct impact on Turkey," Cavusoglu told a news conference in Ankara.
But he also called on Tehran to play a constructive role in conflicts around the region.
"I hope the deal will be finalized and its implementation will continue and stability will be achieved in the region but I have to stress that Iran should reconsider its policies in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. It should take on a positive role. We have to abandon sectarian-based policies."
Speaking alongside Cavusoglu, visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari also backed the agreement.
"Important steps were taken and progress was made. The progress that has been made is very important and we should support it. The important thing is a deal has been reached. Iraq has been calling on the international community for a solution to this problem. This deal was necessary and it should be implemented to attain stability in the region."
Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the progress in talks over Iran's nuclear programme was "remarkable".
"It is important to allay tensions in the region. Turkey's stance is obvious. We are against nuclear weapons, no matter who has them," he said.
Turkey and Iran have in the past accused each other of trying to dominate the Middle East. They have backed opposing sides in the war in Syria and the crisis in Yemen, but their economic interdependence has kept relations broadly on track.
Turkey's imports from Iran were nearly $10 billion in 2014 and its exports totalled around $4 billion.
Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said the deal was "great news" for the Turkish economy as it would likely boost bilateral trade, while Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said it could unlock investment in the Islamic Republic.
The Turkish Exporters' Assembly said bilateral trade would probably double to $35 billion by the end of next year in the wake of the agreement. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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