Speaking to khabar Online today, Mousavi, an analyst of the Middle East and Islamic world issues stated: "Actually, the place of holding nuclear talks is not significant. I believe due to Iran's previously very good ties with Turkey, Ankara could play a more positive role in our international relations."
"If we deteriorate our friendly ties with Turkey, we will possibly be deprived of positive impacts Ankara could exert in our benefits, without achieving anything else," he said.
Deputy head of national security and foreign policy commission of Iran's Majlis (parliament) Esmail Kowsari had earlier told Khabar Online that Istanbul was rejected as the venue for upcoming Iran's negotiation with the six world powers by now.
although the negotiations were finally took place in Istanbul and was described both by Iran and the 5+1 group including the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany as “constructive”.
Mousavi explained that in the contemporary world, adverse parties attempt to form new alignments: "Based on political rationale, we must respect the rules of the game in the midst of the formation of new alignments and recruit more allies."
"Our good relations with Turkey will be a win-win game for both countries and the result of an unfriendly approach will bring negative impacts for the both," the veteran diplomat asserted.
Faced with the question, "Previously some analysts predicted the Islamic Republic of Iran's negotiation with the six world powers would come to a result but Tehran didn't want this to happen in Istanbul. Do you accept such analysis or not?" Mousavi responded:
"Even such analysis could be right, however since we are not informed about the details and behind the scenes talks in Istanbul negotiations, we cannot firmly confirm it. But another question is raised, "even if such analysis was true, why we would not grant this privilege to Turkey?"
Mousavi who was also Iran's ambassador to Pakistan in 1984-1989 went on to say: "The issue is related to the ties between the two countries which has recently turned rather sour, otherwise which country could be better than Turkey for receiving such favor."
"It's a kind of favor which will cost Iran nothing. But the soar relation between the two countries is rooted in different views on the current Syrian crisis," he said.
As thousands of people have been killed during clashes since the beginning of the turmoil and antigovernment protests in March, 2011 in Syria, Tehran and Ankara have taken two contrasting stances toward the government of Beshar al-Assad and the opposition forces.
Ankara has joined the West on imposing economic sanctions on Damascus. Earlier Turkish officials approved the suspension of a free trade agreement with Syria.
Furthermore, Turkey in line with the West and like majority of Arabian countries has recognized the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) as a legitimate representative of all Syrians against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
But the Islamic Republic of Iran, a regional ally of Syrian government has protested the alignment of Turkish government with the US and EU’s policies against Syria.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Mousavi referred to the benefits Turkey gains as a mediator of Iran's nuclear row: "As each country defines its objectives and strategic domestic and international policies, it obviously seeks to elevate its status throughout the world which would bring advantages."
"Among these advantages are: playing a more pivotal role in international developments and interactions as well as getting more opportunities throughout the world. Obviously, Turkey is not an exception in such trend," the veteran diplomat said.
"In recent years we have witnessed various activities and efforts turkey has made. The involvement of Turkey in resolving different problems in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Balkan region testifies that the regional and international position of this country has promoted," he added.
The brother of former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi noted: "From the view of foreign policy such advancement is a great success. Mediation in Iran's significant nuclear program is one of the measures taken by Turkey which is defined within the framework of the above mentioned policy and it will elevate Turkey's status in the region and the world."
In recent years, Turkey has played an active role in arbitrating disputes between Iran and the West powers on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and has always backed Iran's positions on the issue.
Ankara says it is interested to resolve the problem through diplomatic methods as soon as possible. At the same time, it has reiterated that the cooperation of Tehran with the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would contribute to settle the dispute.
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