Minister: Iran, Turkmenistan Resolved to Boost Bilateral Ties

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar reiterated Iran and Turkmenistan's determination to boost all-out ties and cooperation, saying that expansion of relations between the two neighboring states heralds a bright future for the entire region.
"Both nations and governments have a very strong will to bolster their ties and the two countries' cooperation is experiencing all-out expansion," Mohammad Najjar told reporters before leaving Tehran for the Turkmen capital city of Ashgabat on Monday afternoon.

The Iranian minister, heading a high-ranking delegation, is scheduled to visit Ashgabat to confer with Turkmen officials on the further development and deepening of mutual cooperation between the two countries.

"Development of the two countries' relations creates bright prospects for the expansion of welfare and stability in the region," he stated.

Tehran-Ashgabat cooperation in different fields will definitely serve establishment of durable peace and security in the region, the minister noted.

He put the value of annual trade exchanges between Iran and Turkmenistan at $4bln, and called for finding new areas of cooperation in joint investment, power generation, construction of power plants and road and railway construction.

Iran has recently enhanced efforts to boost political, economic and cultural ties and cooperation with the regional and neighboring countries, specially those in the Central Asia.

Late in June, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described Tehran as a reliable partner for Ashgabat, and urged further expansion of relations and cooperation between the two states.