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Iran-Turkey-Syria cooperation helps preserve Iraqi territorial integrity - chairman of Iran's expediency council

Iran Materials 4 December 2006 12:51 (UTC +04:00)

(IRNA) - Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Hojjatoleslam Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told the visiting Turkish PremierTayyip Erdogan cooperation among regional states notably Iran, Turkey and Syria is among major factors in safeguarding Iraq's territorial integrity and removing insecurity, reports Trend.

He said that due to common interests, offering plans by these countries on Iraq and holding joint commissions could be effective in this respect.

The Expediency Council chairman remarked in the meeting that finding a solution to Iraqi problem needs an Islamic-International initiative for which the Organization of the Islamic Conference(OIC) is a suitable body for exchanging consultations and providing a plan for restoring security and tranquility to the war-torn country.

He also noted that formation of a joint working group by Iran, Syria and Turkey would positively affect not only developments in Iraq, but also those in Lebanon and Palestine.

Rafsanjani told the Turkish official that bilateral ties are good in economic and commercial fields, adding that upgrading political cooperation would be most beneficial for both countries.

He referred to expansion of rail and road links between the two countries as a positive factor in expanding trade ties.

The Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan expressed satisfaction with the growth in bilateral trade exchanges and said the related figure is to reach 10 billion dollars in the near future.

Erdogan said Turkey and Iran hold converging viewpoints about Iraq, adding that Turkey supports territorial integrity of the neighboring Iraq and does its best to establish security in Iraq.

Referring to Lebanon, he said that peace and calm is the essential need of this country and said Turkey is ready to cooperate with Iran to alleviate problems of the Lebanese people.

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