Ashgabat Eyes Improved Relations

Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow called for closer cooperation with Iran in international organizations, highlighting the importance of economic and trade interaction with the Islamic Republic.
In a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday, Berdimuhamedow emphasized the importance of cooperation among the neighboring states, adding, “The relations between Turkmenistan and Iran, with thousand-years-old civilizations, must continue within the framework of cooperation in international organizations,” President.ir reported.
Highlighting the importance of economic and trade relations between Ashgabat and Tehran, the Turkmen leader hailed Iran’s advances in the medical sector.
He also pointed to the significance of a gas swap deal that allows Turkmenistan to use Iran as a conduit for the export of natural gas to the Republic of Azerbaijan, calling for the formation of a joint cooperation committee among the three countries.
Raisi thanked Turkmenistan for hosting a recent ECO summit, saying good steps have been taken to carry out the gas swap deal among Turkmenistan, Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Stressing the need for mutual cooperation between the two neighbors in the transportation field, the Iranian president urged the removal of obstacles to closer interaction along the borders.
Raisi also noted that during his recent visit to Ashgabat, he has donated a series of products manufactured by the Iranian knowledge-based companies in the medical and allied health professions sectors, hoping that the two countries would broaden scientific cooperation.