Tehran, Oct 17, IRNA -- President Seyed Mohammad Khatami told the reporters present at Mehrabad Air Port after his return from Ukraine that Tehran-Ankara stands are "pretty close" to each other on Iraq issue. President Khatami who is back form a three day trip to Turkey, where he attended an Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit, and Ukraine, added, "on the sidelines of the ECO summit, we exchanged viewpoints with Turkey's president on all issues of mutual concern, realizing that the two neighboring countries' concerns and stands on Iraq are pretty close to each other." Emphasizing the need to safeguard Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the president said, "Turkey is not only agreed with us on those points, but also on the need to settle the current Iraq crisis through peaceful methods." President Khatami said, "we clearly explained our viewpoints about a US attack against Iraq, and announced our opposition with the idea." He added, "we emphasized the need for further cooperation in order to avoid the occurrence of a military incursion, asking for closer cooperation among various countries in that regard." Announcing that he has also talked to his Turkish counterpart on ther issues of mutual interest, the president said, "I feel the Turks are interested in the establishment of a broader, more comprehensive set of ties with Iran."