TEHRAN - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed regional issues and terrorism with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, sources said on Thursday.
Sources said that Erdogan stressed cooperation between Turkey and Iran in terrorism, and expressed pleasure with improvement of bilateral relations.
Erdogan explained Kharazi Turkey`s thesis that Iraq`s natural resources should be equally used by all Iraqi people, and one ethnic group should not dominate the other.
Turkish PM said that Israel should ``withdraw`` from Gaza Strip ``without demolishing the area.``
On developments in Cyprus, Erdogan said that he expected high-level Iranian officials to visit Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
On the other hand, Kharazi expressed pleasure with positive course of bilateral relations and said, ``former misunderstandings between two countries had been eliminated.``
Kharazi stated that there were not any political problems. Iran knew Turkey`s sensitivities about terrorism since both countries had suffered much from terrorism, he said.
Iranian FM Kharazi said that a suitable ground had been formed in the region for terrorist groups after the United States had invaded Iraq, and noted that they should help Iraqi interim government hold a fair and democratic election in the country.
Kharazi said that Iran was aware of problems of TRNC people, and noted that TRNC parliamentary delegation would visit Tehran soon.
Iranian FM Kharazi stated that Turkey and Iran could carry out joint projects in the region.
After their meeting, Kharazi told reporters that he discussed the ``role of two countries in providing regional peace and stability`` with Erdogan.
Kharazi said that they also discussed developments in Iraq, problems Iraq was facing due to wrong policies of the occupiers, and Afghanistan and Palestine.
Stating that they also took up trade and investment opportunities between two countries, Kharazi said that Turkey and Iran would enhance their cooperation thanks to their close relations and solidarity.
(BRC-AÖ) 29.07.2004