Foreign Affairs Minister urges Iran nuclear negotiations

During a press conference held with Iran Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Akbar Salehi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu touched upon both Iran's nuclear efforts and the missile shield issue.

Stating, "no one should make any miscalculations," Davutoğlu responded to both Iranians claiming the missile shield radar has Iran as a target as well as those who believe the radar poses a threat, by stating, "The most powerful assurance we can provide Iran is a friendship that has stood the test of history."

IRAN IS NOT A MISSILE SHIELD TARGET
Davutoğlu "We are in no way about to do anything that would threaten our neighbors. The radar system was developed within NATO and intended for defense. Iran is not targeted. We will not allow for unrest between Turkey and Iran." Davutoğlu turned to the visiting foreign affairs minister and stated, "Some people portray us to be enemies. However, we are two nations that complete each other. Iran and Turkey are two branches of the same tree."

The other topic on the agenda of the Davutoğlu-Salehi meeting was nuclear negotiations. While Davutoğlu requested a letter of trust be delivered to the EU for negotiations to begin as soon as possible, Salehi requested time prior to the EU announcement of new sanctions.

Salehi "My wish is for negotiations to be held in Istanbul. If the opposite side is ready to be sincere, then the time has come for negotiations to start."

The two ministers also discussed the issue of Iraq. Responding to Davutoğlu, who stated, "Turkey will never intervene in another nation's internal affairs, Salehi stated, "Turkey should not harm their high esteem held by the Iraqi public."