Erdogan was in Tehran to hold talks with Iranian leaders over regional issues, bilateral relations and Iran’s controversial nuclear energy program. Speaking at a press conference prior to returning to Turkey late Sunday, the Turkish Prime Minister said that Ankara considered its ties with Tehran to be of great importance and was pleased that the relationship was improving.

Turning to international affairs, Erdogan said that both Turkey and Iran attached great importance to territorial integrity of Iraq. “I saw that Turkish and Iranian authorities have similar view on this matter. The situation in Iraq affects whole region. We focused on how we can stop the clash of sects there,” he said.

Regarding Lebanon, Erdogan said that it was time for unity and solidarity in that country and that Turkey, Iran and Syria should work together to help resolve the problems there. Iran’s First Vice President Parviz Davudi said that Turkey and Iran were two important countries of the Islamic world and that they should work to boost bilateral relations.

Not only the region but also whole international community would benefit from a return to stability in Iraq, he said. Erdogan also said that the two countries were working to boost their bilateral trade to $10 billion, though there was a need for greater balance as Iranian exports of natural gas account for much of this volume.