Ayatollah Ali Khamenei received on Sunday Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow who is visiting Tehran. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution believed that Iran and Turkmenistan had ample opportunities and capacities to boost bilateral relations especially in fighting extremism in the volatiale region of the Middle East. He asserted that the only effective way to neutralize the extremist malice and their infiltration and recruitment of the public was giving rise to moderate Islamic thinking and rational movements within Islamic tradition; “two nations of Iran and Turkmenistan are neighbors and they are so close to call them member of the same clan as well; effective and serious steps should be taken to boost bilateral relations and to implement agreements signed before between the two countries,” said the Leader.
“Security, welfare, and progress of the Islamic nations are contributing factors to Iran’s interests; borders with Turkmenistan had been borders of peace, stability, and mutual welfare; for Turkmenistan, finding a way to open waters through Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman is crucial,” Ayatollah Khamenei told his guest. “With such security taken for granted by both governments, Iran and Turkmenistan should continue working together in a region mired on extremism and violence; people with moderate thinking and rationality should find grounds conducive for their intellectual growth; this is crucial for fighting ISIL’s inhumane acts of crime and utter savagery, which have nothing to do with real Islam,” he asserted.
Turkmen President Berdimuhamedow, for his part, expressed gratitude for his visit to Iran and meeting with the Leader, which he described as a source of happiness for him; “Iran and Turkmenistan have long history of cordial relations, and have shared their happiness and sorrows,” said Mr. Berdimuhamedow, addressing the Leader directly; “your remarks that Iran and Turkmenistan are close enough to call them of a family provides great encouragement for Turkmenistan’s government and people.”
“Iran and Turkmenistan have ample capacities to cooperate on, especially in oil and gas and transportation infrastructures; any progress in bilateral economic projects will benefit the whole region as well,” he added.
On the historical importance of the Silk Road, Berdimuhamedow voiced the interest of many countries who sought actively to find a way to open seas through Iran and Turkmenistan. He was in agreement with the Leader that terrorist group ISIL had no relation with Islam and had been supported by some countries in the region, which also had contributed to the current pandemonium in political life of the nations.
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