Turkey's Erdogan: Iran necessary for solving Syria, Iraq problems

“We have worked with Russia and Iran during Astana talks,” Erdogan said in a recent interview with Portuguese broadcaster RTP. “We are calling for Saudi Arabia and United States to take part in those talks.”

The talks, initiated by Turkey, Russia and Iran parallel to UN talks in Geneva, was held in January with Syrian government and oppositions’ representatives in Kazakhstan’s capital.

Referring to Turkey’s approach in taking side of opposition in Syria’s conflict which is in contrast to Iran’s, the president highlighted that Ankara “gets along with Iran” and others where it did not.

“You cannot solve issues in Syria and in Iraq without Iran,” he emphasized.

The fifth round of Astana talks was due to launch in Kazakhstan on Monday, but was postponed. The new date is not set yet.

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