New Iranian FM: "Ties with Turkey are a top priority"

Officially taking charge on Saturday as Iran's new foreign minister, Iran nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said boosting ties with Turkey is one of Tehran's top priorities. "Iran's first priority in diplomacy should be its neighbors and the Islamic world. In this regard, both Saudi Arabia and Turkey have a special position," Salehi was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency. Salehi said both Iran and the European Union would benefit if the EU switched its position toward Tehran from "confrontation to engagement as soon as possible." "Despite some unfair moves by the European Union, this Union wants respectful ties with Iran for a number of reasons, including energy." he added.