Iran, Turkmenistan economic ties to boost

TEHRAN, Nov. 22 (MNA) – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani stressed on strengthening friendly ties with Turkmenistan and said that the two countries are determined to boost the volume of mutual economic transactions to $60 billion within the next 10 years. Rouhani made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow who arrived in Tehran this morning for bilateral talks and also to attend the upcoming summit meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). Rouhani also said that Iran and Turkmenistan have emphasized on mutual cooperation in the fields of gas, electricity, railroad and road transportation as well as industry, agriculture, tourism and culture. Talking about regional issues, the Iranian president added that the two countries can boost cooperation in solving regional problems including fighting against terrorism, drugs and organized crimes. He also said that the Caspian Sea is a sea of friendship and peace and noted that Iran and Turkmenistan should always collaborate on its legal issues and resources. Rouhani also added that a comprehensive document of long-term cooperation, by the two countries’ foreign ministries, is necessary. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, for his part, said that Tehran and Ashgabat ties have developed in the past recent years. He added that both the countries are determined to increase the economic ties to the mentioned level which requires a long-term program. Turkmenistan intends to export its energy and gas resources to global markets and Tehran and Ashgabat can take effective steps in this regard. Berdimuhamedow said that his country is ready to take measures toward expanding ties with Iran. Moreover officials of Iran and Turkmenistan singed 9 cooperation documents. The documents were signed during a ceremony in the presence of Rouhani and Berdimuhamedow. The officials signed documents for cooperation in various fields including health, medicine, postal services, construction of electricity transmission line from Merv to Sarakhs, sports, road construction, railway and transportation, standards, as well as Radio and TV broadcasting. http://en.mehrnews.com/news/112170/Iran-Turkmenistan-economic-ties-to-boost