Tehran-Ashgabat economic ties expanding: Zarif

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has hailed expansion of economic relations with Turkmenistan, saying both countries have bright prospects ahead for implementing joint projects.

Speaking in a joint press conference with Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Raşit Meredow in Tehran on Saturday, Zarif said Tehran-Ashgabat ties are at excellent level and are further deepening.

“The two neighboring countries share historical, cultural and religious commonalties and there is good political and economic cooperation between the two countries,” Zairf added.

He noted that Iran will hold a two-week exhibition in the Turkmen capital later this month, which will be attended by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Mohammad Reza Ne’matzadeh.

Meanwhile, the Turkmen foreign minister said Tehran and Ashgabat are implementing some strategic commercial projects.

In addition to Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Zarif, Meredow is also scheduled to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Meredow’s visit comes three weeks after Zarif traveled to Ashgabat to attend the 13th session of the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of ties in different fields, including transfer of electricity, oil and gas exploration and agriculture.

Iran and Turkmenistan have had official diplomatic relations since Turkmenistan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Iran was the first country to recognize Turkmenistan as an independent nation.

Since then, the two countries have enjoyed good relations and have cooperated in economic and energy sectors.