POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS ON THE LEVEL OF THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN AND IRAN WERE HELD IN TEHRAN

On instructions of the President of Turkmenistan the delegation of the country headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov visits the Islamic Republic of Iran on October 26-28, 2021.

On the 26th of October within the framework of the visit head of the delegation of Turkmenistan was received by the President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi.

At the beginning of the talks the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan conveyed to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran warm greetings from the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Having underlined the regular character of bilateral partnership of Turkmenistan and Iran, the parties stated the availability of solid potential in political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian fields.

It was expressed mutual interest in further activation of contacts on the platform of regional and international structures, particularly on the United Nations platform. In this regard, the sides emphasized attention to a number of aspects of the preparation to the forthcoming 6th Summit of the Heads of Caspian states and 15th High-Level Meeting of the Heads of States-members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).

On the same day, political consultations were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the level of the Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan and Iran.

Expressing the constructive nature of these consultations in person, Ministers Rashid Meredov and Hossein Amir Abdollahian confirmed the parties’ commitment to expanding the mutually beneficial Turkmen-Iranian dialogue on a wide range of issues of interest.

The sides also noted the high level of political and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries. Noting the regularity of contacts at the highest level, the sides reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached at the high level.

In addition, positive dynamics of interaction between the two countries within the framework of regional and international organizations were emphasized. The parties noted the effectiveness of joint actions to mutually support the initiatives and endeavors of the two countries within the framework of multilateral formats.

In order to implement the Joint Program of Cooperation of the MFAs of the two countries for 2021-2022, the parties agreed to hold next round of political consultations in Ashgabat in the first quarter of 2022. The sides expressed the need to further expand the contractual and legal framework of the partnership, which consists of a solid package of documents of intergovernmental and inter-agency nature.

The diplomats also spoke about the relevance of building the capacity of cooperation at the regional level to ensure peace, security and sustainable development. The expedience of activating bilateral cooperation in the Caspian region was expressed.

Having considered issues relating to the promotion of transport and energy supply, the sides expressed the need to intensify cooperation between the two countries in the direction of Turkmenbashi–Bandar-e Anzali to build capacity for maritime traffic.

Discussing issues of cross-border cooperation, the ministers noted the beginning of the successful operation of another checkpoint on the Turkmen-Iranian border, introduced in order to normalize the sanitary and epidemiological indicators.

The sides also discussed consular issues and further development of cultural and humanitarian relations on all areas of mutual interest.