Iran, Turkmenistan sign 9 MoUs, eye 20-year cooperation document

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday officially welcomed his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedow in Tehran.

After the welcoming ceremony which took place in the Saadabad complex, the two presidents started their bilateral talks. 

Iran is committed to concluding a 20-year cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan, said President Raisi during a ceremony on Wednesday to sign nine Memoranda of Understanding between the two nations.

Iran and Turkmenistan signed nine Memoranda of Understanding and a joint declaration in the presence of their presidents, Ebrahim Raisi and Serdar Berdimuhamedow.

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The documents on cooperation include economic, trade, cultural, environmental, scientific, and transportation issues.

President Raisi stated at a joint news conference with his Turkmen counterpart following the signing of MoUs, "There is no doubt that the presence of the President of Turkmenistan and high delegation in Iran could be a turning point in the relations between the two countries. Iran has had very good relations with Turkmenistan for the past three decades."

Referring to his recent visit to Ashgabat, he stated that the trip enhanced some cooperation between Iran and Turkmenistan, particularly in the areas of gas exchanges and transportation. "There should be more cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade, water, electricity, and gas."

Raisi stated that the relationship Iran has with Turkmenistan is not simply a neighborly one but "a brotherhood, civilization and cultural relationship, and this deep relationship between the two countries can pave the way for a lot of cooperation between the two countries."

He stated that Iran and Turkmenistan are serious about developing relations and that Iran is eager to sign a 20-year cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan.

Cooperation with Caspian Sea nations is one of the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy priorities, according to Raisi, who also stated that Iran welcomes the next conference, which will be hosted by Turkmenistan.

He emphasized that collaboration between the two countries will undoubtedly lead to regional and worldwide cooperation.

On both nations' stances on Afghanistan, Raisi reiterated that both believe an inclusive government should be formed in Afghanistan.

Serdar Berdimuhamedow, for his part, stated that conversations between Turkmen and Iranian executive delegations were fruitful and occurred in a transparent environment.

He noted that the two nations had consultations on the growth of trade and economic cooperation, referring to the concerns discussed in the meetings between the presidents of Iran and Turkmenistan.

"The energy and transportation sectors were among the most important and strategic issues between the two countries and we will do all our best to develop our cooperation," he emphasized.

The Turkmen President also praised Raisi and the Iranian authorities for their support of Turkmen activities in the international community. He also invited Iran's President to the sixth Caspian littoral states meeting, which will be held this year.