October 2, The Iran Project � Visiting Chief of the General Staff of Turkey Hulusi Akar arrived in Tehran Sunday evening for an official visit and so far has held talks with several top Iranian officials including Iran�s SNSC Secretary Ali Shamkhani and President Hassan Rouhani, and also took part in a joint press conference attended by his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Baqeri.

In a joint press conference after his meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Akar said the Iranian and Turkish commanders emphasized enhancement of military cooperation between the two nations.

In addition to political and economic cooperation between Iran and Turkey, the neighboring nations are trying to promote military cooperation, Akar added.

Meanwhile, Genaral Baqeri expressed hope for the Turkish delegation visit to Iran to result in closer relations between Tehran and Ankara and bolstering of security in the two neighboring countries.

He also, described the referendum in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as a common threat for both countries, saying Iran and Turkey has the same stance as regard to the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

Prior to the press conference, Baqeri and his Turkish counterpart General Hulusi Akar reviewed regional developments and joint borders security in a meeting held on Monday in Tehran, as well.

The two top military commanders also reviewed previously made agreements between Tehran and Ankara.

Speaking at a meeting with Turkey's Gen. Akar in the capital on Monday, Iran�s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani�said the KRG�s approach to hold the independence vote last Monday in the Kurdistan Region was �irresponsible and amateurish�.

Shamkhani also stressed the need for coordinated efforts among Tehran, Baghdad and Ankara to manage developments and prevent the negative effect of the independence vote on the fight against terrorism in Iraq.

The Turkish top commander, for his part, stressed the need to support the central government in Iraq and preserve the integrity of the Arab country.

Also in the meeting with the Turkish commander on Monday in Tehran, President Rouhani described Iran and Turkey as the anchors of stability in the region and stressed that combatting terrorism and preserving geographical borders were the most important goals for cooperation in strengthening stability and security in the region.

For his turn, Akar said: "As two major powers in the region, Iran and Turkey can play an effective role in creating stability and peace in the region."

Upon his arrival in Tehran's Mehrabad Airport where he was welcomed by deputy commander of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for international affairs General Qadiri, Akar said Ankara and Tehran can control and annihilate terrorism.

Meanwhile, Commander Qadiri said, for his part, that Iran and Turkey are considered as pivotal and influential countries in the region.

The Turkish chief of general staff arrived in Tehran late Sunday at the invitation of Major General Baqeri, who visited Ankara in mid-August, the first by an Iranian chief of staff since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Akar�s trip is taking place ahead of a scheduled visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Iran.