Iran, Türkiye Agree to Boost Regional, Bilateral Cooperation

Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)
Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)
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Iran, Türkiye Agree to Boost Regional, Bilateral Cooperation

Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)
Iranian FM Abdollahian receives his Turkish counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian foreign ministry)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian received in Tehran on Sunday his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan for talks on cooperation and regional affairs.

Abdollahian urged the activation of the cooperation agreement between Tehran and Ankara, the respect of the border waters rights, and the adoption of diplomacy and dialogue between Türkiye and Syria.

Fidan stressed that Türkiye and Iran have a responsibility toward regional stability, calling on Damascus to ensure the safe return of the displaced Syrians to their homeland.

IRNA news agency reported that the FMs exchanged view on issues of mutual interests, including regional and international developments.

Fidan is on his first visit to Iran since being named minister of foreign affairs in June.

During a joint press conference, Abdollahian described the talks with his Turkish counterpart as “good” and “detailed”.

“We have discussed the implementation of the comprehensive plan of cooperation between Tehran and Ankara that was concluded during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Tehran. The agreements between the two presidents are on the right track,” he said.

The Iranian FM said the two countries have set an annual trade volume target of 30 billion euros.

He added that work is ongoing to hold a tripartite meeting between Iran, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia to discuss economic and investment cooperation.

The issue of water, he said, also figured in his talks with Fidan. They agreed that their joint technical committee will hold the next round of talks on the issue in Tehran as soon as possible.

Abdollahian called for further cooperation between Iran and Türkiye in consular affairs to facilitate the travel of citizens from both countries.

Fidan praised the reconciliation between Tehran and Ankara, saying that friendly ties among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Iran are of high importance for regional stability.

The Turkish FM also stated that the Syrian government should work on ensuring a safe return of the Syrians in Türkiye.

Moreover, Fidan revealed that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi would visit Ankara soon.



Pope Meets World Diplomats, Stresses Peace and Dignity of Migrants

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)
A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)
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Pope Meets World Diplomats, Stresses Peace and Dignity of Migrants

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)
A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during the audience with the Eastern Churches celebrating their Jubilee, in Vatican City, 14 May 2025. (EPA / Vatican Media handout)

Pope Leo XIV, in his first address to world diplomats at the Vatican, said on Friday that the dignity of migrants had to be respected, while also calling on nations to halt the production of weapons and prioritize peace efforts. 

The pope, who comes from the United States and lived for many years in Peru, described himself as a "descendant of immigrants" and called for compassion and solidarity with displaced persons. 

Pope Leo also used his speech to restate the Church's traditional teaching on marriage, affirming that it is a "stable union between a man and a woman" and underscoring the importance of family as a foundation for harmony in society. 

Leo, who was elected pope last week, wove his speech around the themes of peace, justice, religious freedom, the root causes of conflicts and the need for multi-lateral diplomacy. 

He said his experience of having lived in North and South America and his world travels had given him the ability to "transcend borders in order to encounter different peoples and cultures". 

Leo also indicated that he would continue in the tradition of his predecessors to travel the world. 

He reaffirmed the Church's position against abortion and said the Church would not hesitate to use "blunt language" to speak the truth to the powerful of the world. 

He specifically mentioned only the Middle East and Ukraine, saying they were two of the places where people were suffering "most grievously" today.