The National Leader of Turkmen People discussed present issues of cooperation with the President of Iran by phone

On February 10, 2025, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian had a telephone conversation.

After exchanging warm greetings, the sides reaffirmed with satisfaction the high level of Turkmen-Iranian relations based on the principles of good-neighborliness, friendship and brotherhood.

On behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan, as well as on his own behalf, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty sincerely congratulated the President of Iran on the national holiday - Revolution Day, wished success in his responsible state activities, and wished peace, prosperity and further progress to the friendly people of Iran.

The National Leader of Turkmen people conveyed greetings to President Masoud Pezeshkian on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Expressing gratitude for good wishes, President Masoud Pezeshkian noted great attention of Iran to strengthening interaction with neighboring Turkmenistan and extended his greetings and best wishes to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

During the telephone conversation, it was noted that Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran maintain multifaceted relations based on centuries-old ties of friendship and brotherhood. The two countries cooperate in key areas of the global agenda - ensuring peace and security, sustainable development, ecology and others. In this regard, it was proposed to consistently continue the focused interstate dialog.

As it is known, upon the proposal of Turkmenistan, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on proclaiming 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust”. Thanking the Iranian side for supporting the initiative of Turkmenistan by co-sponsoring the Resolution, Hero-Arkadag emphasized Turkmenistan’s recognition and support for activities of Iran in the international arena.

It was noted that the International Forum of Peace and Trust will be held in Ashgabat on December 12, 2025, which will be one of the central events of the current year.

The National Leader of Turkmen people noted that events in honor of the 30th anniversary of neutrality of Turkmenistan will be held during the Forum, and invited President Masoud Pezeshkian to the International Forum of Leaders and official celebrations: the participation of the head of government of a friendly country will have a significant impact on the level of the upcoming events.

Emphasizing that an official invitation is to be sent soon, Hero-Arkadag expressed confidence in support of Iran for Turkmenistan’s efforts in the context of the International Year of Peace and Trust. In this regard, the hosting of joint thematic events was considered.

Hero-Arkadag expressed support of Turkmenistan for the arrangement of consultations between the foreign ministries of two countries and voiced a proposal to delegate the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to Iran in the coming days.

Speaking about bilateral ties, Chairman of Halk Maslahaty emphasized the priority areas of cooperation, which were discussed during the working visit to Iran last August and then in Ashgabat during the visit of President Masoud Pezeshkian in October 2024.

In addition, the interlocutors noted the role of Turkmen-Iranian economic cooperation. The presence of great prospects for increasing trade turnover was underlined.

Hero-Arkadag proposed to organize the successive meeting of the Turkmen-Iranian Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in the near future. It was proposed to add a wide range of issues of bilateral partnership, including energy, transportation and industry, to the agenda of the meeting.

“Our countries have been cooperating in the fuel and energy sector for many years,” Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty said and informed about the agreement with BOTAŞ company on the transit of Turkmen natural gas through Iran to the Republic of Türkiye under the SWAP scheme.

Hero-Arkadag also voiced the proposal of the Turkmen side to place a section from Mary hydroelectricity station to the Iranian border within the project of Mary-Mashhad power transmission line.  It was noted that negotiations were held with the Iranian side and the relevant document was signed: it is envisaged that the project will be implemented by Iranian companies.

Transportation is among the main areas of cooperation. Turkmenistan and Iran occupy a favorable geographical position at the intersection of Asia and Europe, between the Caspian Sea and the Gulf, which paves way for a very constructive partnership in the transport and logistics sector for both countries.

In this regard, the importance of the highway to be built from the Iranian border to the city of Gumdag in Turkmenistan was emphasized. The parties signed a Memorandum for the implementation of this project: an Iranian company will be the contractor. It was proposed to give instructions to the relevant state entities and companies to implement the project.

Hero-Arkadag also drew attention to the water issues, noting its relevance for the region.

“I voices the position of Turkmenistan on water issues at the One Water Summit in Riyadh last December. This issue should be based on three key principles: first - compliance with international law; second - mutual consideration of the interests of all countries of the region; third - involvement of international structures, primarily the United Nations Organization, in this regard,” the National Leader of Turkmen people said.

The interlocutors noted the usefulness of intensifying joint work in the field of literature and art, as well as organizing conferences dedicated to the life and work of prominent historical figures.

The necessity of developing cooperation in the sphere of science and education, including exchange of experience in the field of natural sciences and high technologies, was voiced.

Hero-Arkadag reiterated Turkmenistan’s readiness to further develop relations with Iran in all areas and expressed confidence in strengthening the Turkmen-Iranian dialog.

At the end of the meeting, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian exchanged wishes of good health, success in responsible state activities, as well as peace, well-being and prosperity to the peoples of two friendly countries.

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