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Questions about Turkey?s goodwill - Tehran Times
To read the rest go here: Questions about Turkey?s goodwill - Tehran Times
Turkey has lamented Irans recent decision to change the venue of talks with the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) which was originally scheduled to take place in Istanbul.
Over the past years, Turkey had always been viewed as a trusted mediator for Irans negotiations with the West. However, Ankaras contradictory policies regarding the political unrest in Syria, especially its decision to host the so-called Friends of Syria conference in Istanbul, made Iran to suspect Turkeys goodwill in dealing with Irans nuclear program. Consequently, Iran proposed other places including Baghdad to host the future nuclear talks.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent visit to Iran created a good opportunity for both sides to strengthen ties and resolve their differences regarding the regional developments. However, the current interactions between Tehran and Ankara can have serious impacts on relations in the future.
Turkeys strategy toward the ongoing political developments in the Arab world is viewed by Iran and many others as unclear, shaky and unstable. This can undermine Turkeys position in the region which has gained prestige over the past years, especially since the Justice and Development Party came to power in 2002.
Turkeys insatiable enthusiasm to join the European Union is in fact the main reason behind the countrys support for the Western policies in the region. Bearing all this in mind, Iran decided to propose another place for its sensitive nuclear talks with Western countries.
Now everyone is waiting to see how EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will react to Irans decision. Logically speaking, Western governments seem to have no objection to Irans choice of Iraq as venue of talks.
To read the rest go here: Questions about Turkey?s goodwill - Tehran Times