Iran, Turkmenistan vow to bolster mutual cooperation

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow hailed the existing friendly relations between Tehran and Ashgabat, and stressed the need for the expansion of mutual cooperation between the two nations in all fields, particularly in the establishment of peace and security in the region. “Iran and Turkmenistan have a very close view on the establishment of peace, stability and tranquility in the region,” Larijani said in a meeting with Berdimuhamedow in Ashgabat on Friday. He praised Turkmenistan’s considerable progress during recent years, saying Iran is ready to work closely with the country to contribute to its development. “Iran is ready to carry out infrastructural projects in Turkmenistan, particularly with regard to roads, refineries, oil and gas,” the Iranian speaker pointed out. The Turkmenistan president, for his part, lauded the growing trend of bilateral cooperation with Iran on various political, economic and cultural arenas; expressing hope the two countries will witness further expansion of relations. Heading a high-ranking politico-parliamentary delegation, the Iranian speaker arrived in Turkmenistan on Thursday for an official three-day visit aimed at expanding bilateral ties between Tehran and Ashgabat. Early in August, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Berdimuhamedow underlined the necessity for broadening bilateral ties between the two friendly states in various fields. During the meeting, Rouhani underlined Iran's will to develop ties with Ashgabat, and called for the rapid completion a railway project linking Iran with the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, which enhance Tehran-Ashgabat relations. Berdimuhamedow, for his part, hailed Rouhani’s views with regards to strengthening bilateral and multilateral regional relations, and said his country will always support Iran’s stances in international scene. Berdimuhamedow also called for expansion of economic, political and cultural relations between Iran and Turkmenistan. The Turkmen president arrived in Iran’s capital, Tehran, to attend Rouhani’s swearing-in ceremony on August 4.