Turkish Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, who arrived in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Saturday, has called for a "peaceful settlement" of the Iraq crisis, Iranian radio reported.
"The Iraqi people must decide their own future ... Turkey advocates a peaceful solution rather than recourse to force," the radio quoted Gurel as saying, according to AFP.
Tehran and Ankara hold "identical views on regional and international problems," he added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, who welcomed his Turkish counterpart upon his arrival in Tehran, praised the "good neighborly" ties between Iran and Turkey and called for strengthening bilateral economic relations.
Iran's foreign ministry has said Gurel's talks with Iranian leaders, including President Mohammad Khatami, would deal with ways of "enhancing bilateral ties" as well as "regional problems," especially Iraq. (Albawaba.com)
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