Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visitTurkeyon Dec. 17 upon an invitation from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, but the visit comes increased tension due to the two countries differences over Syria, as well as difficulties stemming from sanctions against Tehran.Erdo?an and Ahmadinejad, who will speak on the sidelines of a ceremony in the Central Anatolian province of Konya marking the 739th anniversary of the passing of the great Sufi mystic Rumi, are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including Syria and Turkeys decision to further cut the oil it purchases fromIranas part of Washingtons sanctions. ButTurkeyhas said it will not give up its much-publicized gold-for-gas trade withIrandespite the new sanctions package imposed by the U.S.
The two countries disagree over the crisis in Syria, withIranone of President Bashar al-Assads closest supporters; some Iranian officials have also harshly criticizedTurkeyfor siding with Western countries to topple Syrias government.
Erdo?an openly condemned the Iranian government after a senior Iranian official threatenedTurkeylast month, and Turkish officials have also begun to examine potential Iranian links with the outlawedKurdistan Workers Party(PKK), whose militancy has risen in 2012.
Along with Erdo?an and Ahmadinejad, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?daro?lu, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Baheli, as well as ministers and parliamentarians will also attend the ceremonies.
The ?eb-i Arus ceremony is the last in a series of events which began Dec. 7 in Konya to honor the 13th-century poet, mystic and master of the Mevlevi Sufi order, Mevlana Jalaladdin Rumi.
The Iranian president arrives the afternoon of Dec. 17 and will spend the night inTurkeyafter attending the ?eb-i Arus ceremony.
Erdo?an last met with Ahmadinejad in Islamabad during the eighth summit of the Developing 8 (D-8) countries on Nov. 22.
By Hurriyet Daily News
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