TURKMENISTAN-IRAN: bilateral cooperation and being long-term partners in ancient neighborliness
On May 30-31, 2023, The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had undertaken a two-day working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Under the leadership of Our Hero Arkadag and Arkadag Serdar the tradionally friendly nature of the relations between Turkmenistan and Iran gains new content with every passing year, as evidenced by the rapid dynamics of the development of the productive dialogue in all key areas, primarily in the economics sphere. Being long-term partners in the region, our countries are currently demonstrating in the desire to steadily enrich the accumulated experience of fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation, supporting it with large-scale joint projects implemented in the interests of the two states and peoples of Central Asia. Among the most significant of them is the construction of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran steel highway, recognized as the “golden” link of the North-South transport corridor, which is the most economical railway route between Asia and Europe and serves the interests of peace, general prosperity and sustainable development. Particular attention is paid to the development of cultural and humanitarian interaction. In recent years, close cultural and scientic exchanges have been established, international conferences and forums are organized with the participation of Turkmen and Iranian delegations. Cross Days of Culture and exhibitions of decorative and applied arts and other joint events are regularly held. The neighborliness of between two countries led to a productive partnership between Turkmenistan and Iran within the framework of authoritative international organisations. The visit of Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Iran, during which meetings were planned, including those with the top leadership of the friendly country, was intended to give an impetus to the deepening of the fruitful interstate dialogue. At the Tehran International Airport, decorated with the State flags of the two countries, the head of the highest representative body of the people`s power of Turkmenistan was met by officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and members of the Turkmen delegation. There, the head of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan held a conversation with the Minister Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mehrdad Barzpash. During the conversation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that, consistently implementing the foreign policy course based on the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, much attention is paid to the development of effective cooperation with neighboring countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran. It was also emphasized that during the upcoming talks the necessary efforts would be made to further intensify the main areas of mutually beneficial relations, and confidence was expressed in the further successful development of Turkmen-Iranian cooperation based on the principles of mutual friendship and good neighborly relations. It was emphasized that the interstate partnership was based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. During the state visit of Our Hero Arkadag met with the Chairman of the Expediency Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sadeq Amoli Larijani. Thanking Sadeq Amoli Larijani on behalf of the Turkmen delegation and on his own behalf for the invitation to visit Iran, warm welcome and hospitality, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted the peoples of our countries were not only neighbors, but also relatives for centuries. Such bilateral contacts, based on the principles of openness and mutual trust, are an integral part of the high level of the cooperation between the two countries. In this context, firm confidence was expressed that the visit would be a significant contribution to the development of the Turkmen-Iranian fraternal relations would give an impetus to their expansion. The state visit of Our Hero Arkadag to the Islamic Republic of Iran is another evidence of the steadily developing friendly and mutually respectful bilateral ties. Interaction between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on mutual respect, trust and common positions on topical issues on the international agenda. The states have common interests in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic and humanitarian areas, on the basis of which effective cooperation in consistently implemented.
"Ýaş diplomatyň sesi" internet gazeti 10.06.2023
Shasenem MEYLISOVA,
1st year student of the Faculty of International Relations.