Zarif Calls For Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Capacities To Be Used For Economic Co-op

Tehran, Feb 16, IRNA – Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart, Rashid Meredov, on Saturday said Iran and Turkmenistan enjoy abundant joint capacities that could be used to develop economic cooperation. The two foreign ministers reviewed the 13th Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission and called for an immediate implementation of the agreements already reached between the two countries. In a meeting with several Turkmen cabinet ministers, Zarif hailed the determination of presidents of Iran and Turkmenistan to develop economic cooperation. Meredov’s visit to Iran, quickly after the Joint Economic Cooperation session to pursue the agreements indicates the significance of relations between the two neighboring countries, Zarif said. The Iranian foreign minister called for implementation of the agreements on energy, transportation, railway in particular and industry and trade already signed by the Iranian and Turkmen officials. He said that some 230 Iranian producers are to hold an exhibition in Ashgabat slated for February 27, adding that Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Mohammadreza Nematzadeh will also visit Ashgabat to take part in the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition. The Turkmen foreign minister, for his part, referred to longstanding relations between the two countries, and said that his visit to Iran was recommended by the Turkmen president to follow up implementation of agreements reached during a recent Joint Economic Cooperation session. Meredov praised Iran’s constructive and influential policies, calling for bilateral talks on issues of mutual interest and regional and international developments as well./end