پارس نيوز ParsNewZ Latest News

It is Ahmadinejad’s first official visit to Turkey as Iranian leader

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has highlighted what he says are the strong links between Iran and Turkey ahead of a two-day visit there.

It is his first official visit there since taking office three years ago.

Speaking to reporters at Tehran airport, he said relations had gained momentum since the Islamic Revolution in Iran nearly three decades ago.

The two countries are expected to sign a deal to supply more Iranian gas to Turkey - a close Nato and US ally.

The visit has already provoked controversy in the press over the usual protocol of foreign leaders visiting the mausoleum of the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, says the BBC’s Pam O’Toole.

Turkish media have speculated Mr Ahmadinejad is holding talks in Istanbul rather than Ankara to sidestep paying respects to Ataturk, a champion of secularism.

Turkish officials say the talks are expected to focus on bilateral ties, regional and international issues.

Troubled past

Relations between Turkey and Iran have not always been entirely cordial, our correspondent adds.

Although Turkey is predominantly Muslim, in the past, the staunchly secular Turkish establishment has suspected Iran of trying to export its Islamic revolution to neighbouring countries.

And Ankara is a close ally of Tehran’s arch enemies, the US and Israel; Israeli officials have made clear their unhappiness with the Iranian president’s visit.

The US state department has warned Ankara not to strike an energy deal with Iran that undermined diplomatic efforts to halt Tehran’s nuclear programme, the UK’s Financial Times newspaper reports.

But in recent years relations between Tehran and Ankara have improved dramatically.

They have considerable trade ties and Ankara’s begun purchasing Iranian gas via a pipeline between the two countries, despite Washington’s disapproval.

The two countries are also likely to discuss their growing co-operation in the fight against Turkey’s Kurdish militant group, the PKK, and its sister organisation, PJAK, which launches attacks against Iran.

And Turkey, which supports Iran’s right to nuclear power for peaceful purposes, is likely to renew its offer to facilitate negotiations between Iran and six world powers over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme.