MNA � Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said the visit to Turkey by Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces General Bagheri was an evolutionary step in relations between the two countries.


Speaking at his weekly press conference, Spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, touched upon independence of the Iraqi Kurdistan saying �Iran maintains a clear and firm stance on Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan in line with remarks made by Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces.�

On pursuing earlier agreements reach during FM Zarif�s recent visit to Afghanistan, the official said things might not move in accordance with envisaged timetables though agreements will be hopefully finalized in the near future.

Touching upon the racist incident in the US and Trump�s failure to take up a position against it, the official said Americans follow double standards and one cannot except any better reaction by US authorities.

In response to a question on the new Iranian government�s measures against US actions especially as regards violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Ghasemi refused to provide details of the agenda and noted that JCPOA and its outcomes will be preserved through various means as promised by President Rouhani and FM Zarif.

He described the nuclear deal as an international issue saying �several world countries are supporting the JCPOA and a comprehensive agreement can preserve outcome of the deal.�

Later into his remarks, Ghasemi deemed the visit to Turkey by Major General Bagheri as an unprecedented and outstanding measure which lead to significant promotion in level of cooperation between the two countries.

�Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces travelled to Turkey upon receiving an official invitation from his Turkish counterpart,� recalled FM spokesman stressing that excellent talks were held between Iranian and Turkish officials during constructive sessions.

Ghasemi invited the two nations to observe positive results of the visit on bilateral ties as well as on regional issues in the near future; �in addition to deepening bilateral relations, the visit can also significantly help with regional cooperation and stability.�

Expressing hope that the talks between Iran and Turkey will continue in Tehran, the official noted that similar visits could open a new chapter in the ties between the two countries benefiting both nations by establishment of peace and stability in the region.

�Over the past four years, a positive trend was pursued by the government to promote credibility of Iranian passports though still a long way needs to be taken,� highlighted the official.
Bahram Ghasemi went on to underscore that Iran�s Foreign Ministry, in the new term, will pay due attention to economic diplomacy by specialization and focus on more coordination in economic affairs at the Ministry as well as by strengthening of its structure to focus more on economic issues.
�To this end, a new department will be established to work on economic diplomacy,� said FM spokesman clarifying that the Ministry would only facilitate the issues by coordinating economic matters with foreign parties, attracting foreign investment and know-how, deploying workforce abroad in addition to bolstering venues for exports of non-oil products.
He said, in views of several decades of experience, certain modifications are slated to take place in structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a bid to comply with new regional and international conditions. �As such, three regional departments will be dissolved into one diplomatic department to work along the new economic policy section both of which will be directly supervised the FM Zarif.
In response to a question on the new government�s message to the region, the spokesman said one defined priority was to promote relations and interactions with neighboring states through preplanned mechanisms; �Iran will continue the efforts to maintain stability and security and to fight against terrorism inside the region.�
On Tehran-Riyadh relations, Ghasmei underlined that ties between countries need to be mutual and given that Tehran has taken appropriate measures to improve diplomatic ties with Saudis, the other�side is also expected to take up a more realistic view and help with boosting regional stability and security by analyzing ongoing conditions.
Touching upon the impending travel of a UN envoy of the US to Vienna in order to meet with some IAEA officials, Ghasemi reassured that responsibilities of the International Atomic Energy Agency have been defined and on the basis of its reports, Iran has so far fulfilled its obligations in the form of the JCPOA.
�America�s struggles to create problems for the nuclear deal are futile since the Agency follows its mandate precisely as evidenced by previous reports.�
Ghasemi later noted that the next round of Astana talks on the Syrian crisis will convene in September during which Iran will seek to find diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crisis in collaboration with two influential countries in the field. �There exists no relation between Major General Bagheri�s visit to Turkey and Astana talks since the latter one has its own particular agenda.�
At the end of his remarks, FM spokesperson described Astana talks as effective and helpful means for resolving the Syrian crises expressing hope that more comprehensive steps will be taken in this regard.