Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mohammad Shariatmadari discuss the priorities of Turkmen - Iranian dialog

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has received Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Shariatmadari, who arrived in the Turkmen capital as a head of his country’s delegation to attend the 14th specialized exhibition of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Truly grateful for the audience, the guest passed warm greetings on to the head of state from President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani, who had wished well-being and prosperity to the whole nation. As stressed, Iran attaches great significance to strengthening the traditional friendly relations with fast-developing Turkmenistan that boasts enormous economic potential. 

After sending his best wishes to the head of the friendly country, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the interstate dialogue built on the bonds of friendship and good-neighborly relations is taking on a new meaning with every passing year. Having emphasized that Turkmenistan with its consistent foreign policy, based on the principles of positive neutrality, devotes special attention to the promotion of fruitful relations with its neighboring countries, particularly with Iran, the head of state recognized the untapped potential for expanding the productive long-term partnership in various sectors. 

During an exchange of opinions on prospects of Turkmen-Iranian cooperation in the trade-economic field, the head of state and his guest confirmed the two countries’ desire to actively encourage mutually rewarding business contacts, to boost bilateral trade turnover, and to stimulate investment activities. 

In this context, the parties stressed the importance of the traditional specialized exhibition of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ashgabat and regular joint business forums, which serve as a meeting ground for discussing key issues of partnership and designating its new areas. The Joint Turkmen-Iranian Commission for Economic Cooperation also plays an instrumental role as an effective mechanism for enhancing and diversifying the bilateral relations. 

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the guest extended his deep gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for ensuring the efficient organization and running of the ongoing exhibition that features products and the latest developments from Iran’s leading companies and industrial centers. The large multifaceted exposition is a remarkable testament to keen interest of the neighboring country’s business community in the steadily growing Turkmen market with its business-favored conditions. 

Highlighting that Turkmenistan, which is implementing the massive programs for industrialization, import substitution and regions’ integrated development, counts on the wide application of cutting-edge technology, and scientific and technological advances, the head of state noted that this also opens up new possibilities for effective cooperation with Iranian partners, including between representatives of the two countries’ private sectors. 

The energy and transport sectors (where our country has introduced several important international initiatives) are seen as the priority areas of cooperation. A notable example of successful collaboration is the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran transnational railway (completed a few years ago), which is destined to contribute to the optimization of transportation systems in the entire Eurasian region. 

Bidding farewell, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Shariatmadari expressed confidence in the successful development of interstate partnership in the interests of the two friendly countries and peoples. 

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan Seyed Mohammad Ahmadi.