Turkey, Iran security cooperation ‘vital’ for region

By Omid Shamizi

TEHRAN

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Saturday said that cooperation between Turkey and its neighbor Iran on security is “vital” for the region.

Soylu's remarks came during a news conference after a security meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli in the capital Tehran.

"It is very important for peace and prosperity as well as for the security of the region that the two major building blocks of a large civilization -- Iran and Turkey -- come together, especially in security matters," Soylu said.

The interior minister said he and Fazli discussed the issues such as terrorism, immigration, border issues, drugs trafficking and organized crimes.

For his part, Iranian interior minister said Turkey and Iran shared common issues. "The two countries have achieved successes in security," he said.

"With the cooperation of Iran, Turkey and other regional states, we will end new tensions," Fazli said, giving the example of Daesh.

"An advanced relationship in trade, politics, economy, and security between the two countries could set an example for the entire region and create infrastructure for regional peace," he added.