In a Friday telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Rouhani said the friendly and neighboring countries like Iran and Turkey should further boost their cooperation at a time when the US has targeted the Iranian nation with oppressive sanctions.
The president hailed Tehran-Ankara ties, especially in the economic and trade sectors, adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to develop friendly and brotherly bonds and cooperation with Turkey in all fields.”
Referring to some issues and problems gripping the region, Rouhani expressed hope that stability and peace would prevail through cooperation among all regional states.
He further extended congratulations to the Turkish president on the occasion of Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), which marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Rouhani said he hopes that Iran and Turkey would continue to work together and share experiences concerning the fight against the coronavirus as they have done so far.
Erdogan, for his part, congratulated Rouhani on Eid al-Adha and hoped that the festivity would bring blessing for both nations and all Muslims across the world.
He also praised the Iranian government and people for making successful efforts to counter the coronavirus, stressing the need for reinforcing bilateral cooperation and transferring experiences in this regard.
Iran-Turkey economic relations should develop and their trade exchanges should accelerate in accordance with the coronavirus-related health protocols, Erdogan said, voicing hope that a meeting of the Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation between the two countries would be held in the near future.
Iran has been hit by the coronavirus that first showed up in China in late December 2019 before spreading across the globe.
Inhumane US sanctions have hampered the virus fight in Iran, which has so far recorded 304,204 infections and 16,766 deaths.
Turkey has recorded 230,873 infection cases and a death toll of 5,691 from the coronavirus pandemic.
