Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Western powers are concerned about Tehran’s steady progress in becoming energy independent rather than its alleged potential to build a nuclear bomb.

“The [Western] powers are in fact afraid of Iran’s many accomplishments in nuclear technology, rather than its capability to produce a nuclear bomb,” Ahmadinejad said in an interview with Turkey’s TRT TV channel.

Speaking ahead of a high-level visit to Turkey, the Iranian president said the nuclear issue has been “over-politicized” in recent years.

Mindful of the West’s disgruntlement about Istanbul’s growing relations with Tehran, Ahmadinejad insisted that he does not intend to “come between Turkey and its Western neighbors.”

“Iran has asked Turkey to strengthen ties with its eastern neighbors, but this should not be seen as a call for Turkey to break ties with Western countries,” he noted.

The Iranian president made the comments as he prepares for a three-day conference of the Permanent Committee of Social and Economic Cooperation (COMSEC), which kicks off in Istanbul on Sunday.

On a different note, Ahmadinejad said he supported Turkey’s bid to become a full member of the European Union, adding that it would “promote EU credibility even more.”

Turkey’s accession to the EU has been a subject of heated debate over the past few years. The country began full membership negotiations with European countries in 2005.

IRI Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Sayyed Shamseddin Hosseini said for the first time, heads of the Islamic countries will study world financial crisis in Turkey.

Hosseini heading a high ranking delegation is in Istanbul to attend the 25th meeting of the Permanent Committee of Social and Economic Cooperation (COMSEC) affiliated to OIC, the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is following up COMSEC activities seriously, he told IRIB reporter.

“Financial and starvation crisis, food security and Energy crisis are the main subjects will be discussed during the ministerial meeting to be held on Sunday,” he said.

Participants of the Sunday meeting will also talk about Islamic stocks too, he added.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is set to attend the COMSEC meeting in Istanbul, on Monday.

A number of other Muslim states’ leaders will take part in the conference, which will be held to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of COMSEC.

Ahmadinejad is scheduled to hold talks with a number of Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the COMSEC session.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit Turkey to attend an upcoming conference of the Permanent Committee of Social and Economic Cooperation (COMSEC).

The conference will be held to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the permanent committee.

Ahmadinejad will hold talks with some leaders of Islamic countries during the conference, IRNA reported on Thursday.

COMSEC is a committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).