Turkey, Iran sharing mutual interets facing the same problems, interests: Analyst

Press TV has conducted an interview with Renato Vélez, an international analyst from Santiago, about the impact of the enhancement of relations between Turkey and Iran on coping with the terrorism in the Middle East.

The following is the rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: Why do you think Iran has reached out to Turkey both as a regional trade partner and now as an important player in the fight against terrorism?

Press TV has conducted an interview with Renato Vélez, an international analyst from Santiago, about the impact of the enhancement of relations between Turkey and Iran on coping with the terrorism in the Middle East.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: Why do you think Iran has reached out to Turkey both as a regional trade partner and now as an important player in the fight against terrorism?

Vélez: Well, this is the key question, but you had to see from geopolitical point of view. First of all, you have to understand that the two main or one of the major trade partners of Turkey are Russia and Iran. So, in that context for instance you have these projects from China, the so-called new Silk Road, these road’s for trade and another kind of a route trade from China to Central Asia, to Iran and into Turkey to go to Europe. Right so, at that point you will note the importance of having good relations in terms of trade.

And also you must take into account that Turkey and Iran share common problem in the so-called Kurdish insurgency. In recent weeks, we have seen border attacks of Kurdish insurgent groups against Iran and you have the problem with the PKK in Turkey. So, you saw mutual interest to try to deal with this issue of the Kurdish insurgency. So, in terms of trade and security you have Turkey and Iran.

Press TV: Iran’s hailed the reparation of ties between Ankara and Moscow and also hailed Turkey’s new role as a hopefully some kind of help in resolving the conflict in Syria. How can Turkey help in trying to find a resolution to the problem in Syria?

Vélez: Well, I believe Turkey is the key to solve the crisis in Syria. You must remember that before the Arab Spring, Turkey had good relations with the axis of resistance, Iran and Syria, by the way. And now you have this policy after the Arab Spring of Turkey supporting terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq and that policy has failed thanks to the Iranian and Russian cooperation with this legitimate Syrian government to defeat these terrorist groups.

So, now Turkey is holding the keys to quit all support to these terrorist groups in Syria and that will obviously help put an end to the war. I mean the Russian foreign minister has been asking the Turkish to seal the border, because if the Turkish border with Syria is sealed that will quit all support for the terrorist groups inside Syria and that of course will help bring an end finally to this war.

Press TV: Iran has stood by Turkey during this failed coup attempt in the country. Why is Ankara’s stability important for Tehran?

Vélez: I mean Iran needs stable neighbors first of all and you must remember that as I said before the Erdogan regime has good relations with Iran and with Russia before the Arab Spring and even after, right. So, if the Erdogan government is replaced by a more pro-NATO government that of course will strain the relations with Iran and with the other countries of the axis of resistance.

So, you may say whatever you want above the Erdogan regime and everybody has critics about it and you know that the alternative could be worse in terms of the meddling of the Western powers in the Middle East.

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