Envoy: Turkmenistan Resolute to Reinvigorate Economic Ties with Iran

Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Tehran Ahmed Gurbanov voiced his country’s dissatisfaction with curbs in commercial ties with Iran, and said Ashgabat is determined to restore strength to its economic ties with the Islamic Republic.

In a Sunday meeting with the Governor General of North Khorasan province, Gurbanov said that Iran–Turkmenistan trade cooperation have been weakened in recent years, saying the relations should be bolstered to reach its previous state.

The volume of two countries' trade exchange had experienced $5 billion over last decade, whereas it has lately decreased, he added.

Stating that both countries have high capabilities in commercial field, he added that two sides should not ignore boosting relations in economy, agriculture, tourism, culture as well as sport.

The joint economic commission is going to be held in line with implementing the countries' MoUs in the near future which will take mutual trade ties into account, Gurbanov noted.

He went on to say that Iran-Turkmenistan private sectors should be activated and it requires resolving the current challenges in this regard.

Back in mid-May, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Raşit Meredow told his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif that Ashgabat has the political will to strengthen bilateral relations with Tehran in all areas.

During the meeting in Turkmen capital city, Meredow described Zarif’s visit as very important and timely, adding, “Turkmenistan has a high political will to expand all-out relations with Iran.”

Zarif, for his part, referred to his meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and underlined, “The commonalities shared by the two countries are more than just two neighbors.”

Late in January, Iran and Turkmenistan held their 14th joint consular meeting at the foreign ministry building in Tehran where the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to further increase consular cooperation.

The 14th joint consular, border and customs meeting of Iran and Turkmenistan was held at the Iranian foreign ministry building in Tehran on January 27.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Iranians’ and Parliamentary Affairs Hossein Panahi Azar and Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev.

During the meeting, the two sides called for implementation of previous agreements regarding the facilitation of visa issuance, citizenship, prisoners' rights, judicial documents, as well police cooperation, border issues, and customs cooperation.

The two countries’ deputy foreign ministers also signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of the consular meeting.

In a related front, also on the same day, Zarif met with Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Hajiyev.