The Iranian foreign minister, Kamal Kharazi, says Turkey and Iran have important responsibilities establishing peace and stability in the Middle East.

Mr Kharazi was speaking in Ankara before meeting the Turkish foreign minister, Ismail Cem, at the start of a two-day official visit.

Earlier, Iranian officials said Mr Kharazi would raise concerns over increasing Turkish co-operation with Israel.

The Turkish prime minister, Bulent Ecevit, said he would urge Mr Kharazi to take more effective measures against Kurdish separatists who he says have fled to Iran.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service