Turkey offers help in Iran nuclear issue

DUBAI (Gulf News) - Turkey, which has been playing an increasingly key role in regional politics lately, has offered to help reach a diplomatic solution for the Iranian nuclear standoff.

“We believe that a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue is achievable and necessary. Given the already volatile situation in the region, diplomacy is the only viable avenue for a solution,” Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Gulf News in an interview.

He said Ankara believes that Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear energy but within the norms of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He said Turkey “will be ready to assume an active role if needed in order to facilitate a diplomatic solution”.

The offer is part of Turkey's increasingly active role in the region, the minister acknowledged. He described the new role as “activism” in the Turkish foreign policy, especially playing a peace broker between Syria and Israel.

“Syria is a key country in the region whose contribution is essential for regional peace and stability. Moreover, for Turkey, Syria is a gateway opening into the (Persian) Gulf region. Therefore, our enhanced relations with this country would also help promote intra-regional economic and commercial integration,” the minister said.

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