Turkmenistan to continue partnership for peace
By Aynur Jafarova
Turkmenistan intends to continue partnership with all countries for the sake of universal peace.
The remarks were made by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov at a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan on September 17, local media reported.
Berdymukhamedov noted in accordance with its neutral status, Turkmenistan intends to continue its partnership with all countries, including its closest neighbors, for the sake of universal peace, progress, and creative development.
Dehghan, for his part, said the Iranian government attaches great importance to the development of a constructive dialogue with the independent and neutral Turkmenistan.
"Iran confidently conducts a peaceful foreign policy aimed at broad international cooperation for the sake of common interests," Dehghan added.
The two sides stressed the existing potential for
Turkmen-Iranian cooperation based on the centuries-old friendship
and good-neighborliness traditions successfully developing in the
modern era.
Dehghan highly appreciated the international initiatives put
forward by the Turkmen president, including the creation of a
nuclear free zone in Central Asia and the Caspian Sea region, which
will have a positive affect on the world.
He expressed confidence that the implementation of these initiatives will promote the fulfillment of the global goals of the third millennium and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Dehghan also noted his country is ready to continue collaboration with Turkmenistan to ensure regional and global peace, stability, and security.
Under its military doctrine, Turkmenistan pursues the positive neutrality policy and is not a member of any military political block.
Iran and Turkmenistan have common land borders and are neighboring countries in the Caspian Sea. They have maintained bilateral relations since Turkmenistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Iran was the first nation to recognize Turkmenistan as an independent state. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed good relations and cooperation in the economic, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
Tehran has the largest volume of trade turnover with Turkmenistan after Russia, and the two countries' annual trade currently amounts to $4.2 billion. This figure is planned to increase up to $10 billion over the next five years.
Turkmenistan mainly exports natural gas, oil, petrochemical products, and textiles to Iran.