Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers on Thursday called on relevant parties to resume nuclear talks with Iran as soon as possible for regional stability.

At a joint press conference held in Turkey's capital Ankara Thursday, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi hoped that the nuclear talks between Iran and five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany could be held at Istanbul as soon as possible.

"The key thing is to start negotiations and ease tensions at once. And Turkey is ready to provide any help or any contributions to the resumption of nuclear talks since it is high time for talks and a settlement," said Ahmet Davutoglu.

He noted that both Iran and the European Union's top foreign and security policy official Catherine Ashton had conveyed their readiness for the resumption of talks at different occasions.

For his part, Salehi said that "I hope negotiations could be held in Istanbul. It is time for the talks to start if other parties are ready to act sincerely. If there were any excuses on their part, it would mean that they are against or do not endorse negotiations."

Salehi said he had encouraged Ashton during a gathering a few weeks ago to schedule a meeting with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.

Responding to security developments in Iraq, Davutoglu said Turkey's foreign policy never intended to interfere in any country 's internal issues.

"We stand at an equal distance to all groups in the Middle East. However, we will not just watch the negative developments around us. What is crucial is that countries help each other through a constructive approach," Davutoglu underlined.

Salehi, for his part, said that Turkish and Iraqi authorities maintained good relationships, but misunderstandings could happen between officials from time to time. He hoped that the misunderstandings could be clarified and small problems should not be exaggerated.

Davutoglu also clarified that the NATO's missile defense system, which has become operational in eastern Turkey recently, was designed for defense purposes, not against Iran, adding that he and Salehi had talked about it openly.

The most crucial assurance Turkey could give to Iran was " friendship and brotherly relations," said Davutoglu, as "Turkey does not consider any neighbor as a threat," adding that whatever the issue may be, the two sides should hold face to face talks.