Iran optimistic about trilateral summit in Tehran over Syria

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 3 September 2018 / 15:46

Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi announced Monday that the trilateral summit in Tehran between Turkey, Russia and Iran will be held following the Astana talks.

Citing Astana talks as a successful process, Qassemi said, "The summit can follow the previous route of the talks assisting to take new more steps toward the final solution for Syria's crisis, fight against terrorism and restore peace and stability to the war-torn country".

Hoping for a successful and efficient summit, he also declared that he is "optimistic" about the result of the talks in Tehran.

Answering a question about the subjects which are due to be discussed during the negotiations between the presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey, Qassemi said, "The trilateral summit between the countries that have important and influential roles in Syria can't be limited to one issue. Certainly they will discuss international issues and bilateral and trilateral cooperation as well as issues on mutual interests in addition to Syria's recent developments".

Rejecting recent claims about Iran's interference in Iraq's domestic affairs, Qassemi said, "We respect Iraqi people's choice and cooperate with any government from any wing and party because we are neighbors and we must cooperate with each other. As we've said before, preserving Iraq's independence and territorial integrity is an important and critical issue for us".

Reacting to the recent controversies over Iraqi tourists in Tehran ahead of Arba'een and Muharram mourning ceremonies, the spokesman said, "I think Iran's enemies are trying to undermine Iran's foreign relations with its neighboring countries and fail Iran's foreign policies in its interactions with the neighboring states".

Insisting that Iran's principal policy is not interfering in other states' domestic affairs, Qassemi added, "We are in a constant contact with Iraq over various fields and any issue between the two countries will be solved through dialogues between Iraqi and Iranian officials".

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