Regional transit ties serve peace

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has hailed transit cooperation between regional countries, saying the effort will serve peace and progress in the region.

“Agreements to connect the Persian Gulf littoral states to Central Asia, reached at the quadrilateral meeting, will generate many opportunities that would serve peace and progress within regional nations,” IRNA quoted President Ahmadinejad as saying in a Tuesday meeting in Tehran with foreign ministers of Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The Iranian chief executive added that future generations will praise transit and transportation cooperation among the four countries.

He stated that the meeting indicates that the four countries have great commonalties and are resolute to shape the future in a way that all nations would live in peace, security and friendship.

“Transit cooperation between the four countries will be an opportunity for all regional nations, particularly for the states which have set up this important and historical event,” he went on to say.

President Ahmadinejad also expressed Iran’s support for agreements on transit and transport cooperation between the four countries.

Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah said that establishing a connection between the Persian Gulf and Central Asian countries through Iran would mark a new juncture in the history of the region.

Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov also pointed to the amicable relations between Tehran and Tashkent and said, “Turkmenistan is the closest neighbor and friend to Iran.”

He expressed hope the quadrilateral transit meeting would prepare the ground for strengthening friendly bonds among regional countries.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov also said the agreements reached in the Tehran meeting would reconstruct old relations between Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Oman.

The first Quadrilateral Conference of Foreign and Transportation Ministers of Iran, Oman, the Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan was held in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Tuesday.

Ministers participating in the conference stressed regional cooperation and expansion of economic relations to enhance progress and growth of each of the member countries.