Erdogan to Visit Tehran on Oct. 4

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would visit Tehran for high-level meetings on Oct. 4 to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

In an interview with a Turkish news channel on Friday, Erdogan said, “During the visit, I will discuss issues related to terrorism, the presence of terrorists in Qandil Mountains and other important issues regarding bilateral and regional developments,” IRNA reported.

Qandil Mountains is a treacherous mountainous area of Iraqi Kurdistan near the Iran-Iraq border where Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters are present.

He also said Iran-Turkey Economic Commission’s meeting will be held during his visit to Tehran.

“Prior to my trip, Chief of the General Staff Hulusi Akar will travel to Tehran to hold talks with Iranian officials,” Erdogan said.

On August 16, Chairman of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri met with Erdogan in Ankara.

The rare military visits are indications of Tehran-Ankara cooperation expanding in the region where the two nations have had closer views regarding Syria and both voiced opposition to the secession referendum planned in Iraqi Kurdistan.