Joint press conference of the Presidents of Iran and Turkmenistan

Ayatollah Raisi: Capacities for Tehran-Ashgabat cooperation are higher than the current level of relations/ The two countries have serious will to develop relations/ Berdimuhamedow: Today's talks painted a picture of fraternal relations between Iran and Turkmenistan

The President described the relations between Iran and Turkmenistan as more than just neighbourly relations, adding, "The relations between the two countries are brotherly, civilisational, cultural and, in a word, very close. These deep relations between the two nations and the two countries can pave the way for many collaborations".

"Your visit with a high-ranking delegation of the friendly, brotherly and neighbourly country of Turkmenistan could be a turning point in relations between the two countries," Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi said a joint press conference with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow at noon on Wednesday.

We have had good relations with Turkmenistan for the past three decades, he said, adding, "My visit to Ashgabat last year could further activate the cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkmenistan, especially in the field of gas swap, transit, and transportation, and good steps were taken in these areas".

Stating that the capacities for cooperation between the two countries are more than the current level of relations, Dr Raisi said, "In the fields of economy, trade, water, electricity and gas, there are good capacities and areas in the two countries to expand cooperation beyond the current level. The agreements and memoranda of understanding signed today between the two countries can enhance cooperation between the two countries to a higher level".

The President described the relations between Iran and Turkmenistan as more than just neighbourly relations, adding, "The relations between the two countries are brotherly, civilisational, cultural and, in a word, very close. These deep relations between the two nations and the two countries can pave the way for many collaborations".

Appreciating the efforts of the former President of Turkmenistan in developing relations between the two countries, Ayatollah Raisi said, "I hope that the two countries will take good steps to develop relations in the new era".

The President said, "In the negotiations, it became clear that the two countries have a serious will to develop relations and implement the agreements reached. More importantly, the two countries are determined to sign a strategic document of 20 years of cooperation".

Dr Raisi described cooperation with the Caspian Sea littoral countries as one of the foreign policy priorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and welcomed the holding of the Caspian littoral states summit hosted by Turkmenistan, adding, "Cooperation between the two countries will surely lead to regional and international cooperation".

In today's meeting, it became clear that the two countries have very close opinions about Afghanistan, he said, adding, "We believe that a comprehensive government should be formed in Afghanistan that represents all political and ethnic groups, and this can create security for Afghanistan. Also, the continuation of discussions held at the meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan's neighbouring countries was also emphasised by both sides.

Ayatollah Raisi stated, "The two countries share the view that the problems and issues of the region should be resolved by the countries of the region and any foreign presence in the region can be problematic. Our common belief is that the presence of outsiders is not a security-building factor but creates problems".

The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, also stated at the press conference that the talks between the delegations of Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran were successful, noting, "The talks were held in an atmosphere of transparency, trust and mutual respect between the two countries, which painted a picture of fraternal relations between the two countries".

The President of Turkmenistan noted that the fields and prospects of relations were discussed in order to expand trade and economic cooperation and increase the volume of trade between the two countries, saying, "The energy and transportation sector are amongst the important and strategic sectors of relations between Tehran and Ashgabat, and we will focus our efforts to effectively use these potentials to expand interactions between the two countries".

Berdimuhamedow added, "The two countries are also determined to develop cultural and humanitarian relations as one of the important sectors to strengthen the bond between the two nations and the two countries".

The President of Turkmenistan stated that the two countries have very good relations with each other within the framework of international organisations and are determined to expand these relations, adding, "In today's negotiations, special importance was attached to the relations between the two countries in the Caspian Sea".

Berdimuhamedow stated, "During today's talks and meeting, Afghanistan issues were also considered by both sides. Tehran and Ashgabat want Afghanistan to become a prosperous state that participates in important international and regional projects".

Referring to the signing of several cooperation documents between the two countries, he noted, "These documents will further develop and strengthen relations between the two countries".