Iranian FM discuss with Turkish officials Syrian crisis

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with several Turkish officials, discussing with them the situation in neighboring Syria, said a source late Saturday. Ihlas News Agency said that Zarif met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, discussing with them issues pertaining to regional and international developments in addition to means to bolster bilateral relations. On the Syria conflict, Davutoglu and Zarif held a joint press conference which focused on the crisis. Davutoglu said that the dire situation in Syria required measures to end the on-going violence, noting that a political solution must be found in the upcoming (Geneva II) on January 22nd. The Turkish Foreign Minister said that his meeting with Zarif also touched on the negotiations concerning the Iranian nuclear file and the upcoming visit by Prime Minister Erdogan to Tehran later this month. On his part, Zarif expressed sorrow on the continuous violence in Syria and warned that the on-going tension might lead to the spread of extremism in the region. He stressed that his visit to Turkey was in-line with both nations' aspirations to seek more development in bilateral relations.