Mohammad Javad Zarif received Raşit Öwezgeldiýewiç Meredow, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan on Saturday in Tehran. Both sides emphasized upon a general and strong will of Iran and Turkmenistan to revive relations to new highs; “we are pleased to have plans in the future to visit Ashgabat by an invitation to Mr. Meredow; both presidents signed 27 MoUs during presidential visits to Ashgabat and Tehran which clearly indicates a strong will in part of both neighbors to extend ties,” Mr. Zarif said.
“There is a good level of trader balance; the connection of Chabahar in the extreme south of Iran to Inceburun in Turkmenistan will drastically improve the prospects of both countries in transit of goods between north and south; in regional issues, both countries have exchanged positions about fighting terrorism and extremism,” Zarif told the meeting. “With water bodies, two dams (to be constructed yet) will provide both countries with grounds on which to face our national needs, Friendship Dam being such notable body of water.”
Mr. Meredow for his part, also was unanimous with Zarif about the fact that both sides hailed extending bilateral ties; “in signing the MoUs, Turkmenistan seeks to guarantee the quality of bilateral trade and business; both presidents have regular coordination sessions and have contributed to improved relations,” he added. “Iran, Turkmenistan an Afghanistan could contribute to regional improvements in water and energy; I hereby propose that a trilateral commission of water and energy be established.”
Turkmen foreign minister also called for better exchange of experiences and cooperation to address and tackle drug trafficking cartels in the borders; “the railroad linking Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan to Persian Gulf reduces the transit time about 18 days and in terms of costs, it improves upon other corridors,” he concluded.
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