Iran’s President Pezeshkian Aims to Strengthen Bonds with Neighboring Allies
Tehran, IRNA – In a significant diplomatic move, President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced that Iran is prepared to enhance cooperation with Turkmenistan across various sectors. This initiative highlights the Islamic Republic’s commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring and friendly nations.
During a meeting with Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on Wednesday, Pezeshkian emphasized the principle of good neighborliness in Iran’s foreign relations. He stated, “Good neighborliness in ties with neighbors is a principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The Iranian president went on to mention that he has instructed relevant authorities to:
- Investigate potential areas for further cooperation between Iran and Turkmenistan.
- Address any obstacles that may hinder the progress of joint projects.
Pezeshkian also discussed the upcoming summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states, which will be hosted in Tehran. He expressed, “Iran seeks to expand relations between the Caspian Sea littoral countries based on peace, friendship, and good neighborliness, and this approach will be discussed at the upcoming summit with an emphasis on achieving practical solutions for developing cooperation.”
In response, Turkmen Foreign Minister Meredov conveyed warm greetings from President Berdymukhamedov and highlighted several joint projects between the two nations, particularly in:
- Transportation
- Energy
Meredov expressed optimism about upcoming joint commission meetings, which he believes will enhance economic relations between Iran and Turkmenistan. He also announced that Turkmenistan plans to send a high-level delegation to the Caspian Sea littoral states summit.
In a further development, Turkmenistan has finalized a significant agreement to supply natural gas to Turkey, which will be transported through Iran’s existing natural gas infrastructure. The deal involves:
- A contract between the state-run Turkmengas company and Turkey’s state-owned BOTAS.
- Commencement of gas supplies starting March 1, marking a crucial milestone in energy cooperation.
Turkey currently consumes over 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually, sourcing its supplies from a mix of countries including Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Turkmenistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia, heavily relies on its vast natural gas reserves for export.
While specific details regarding the volume of gas and the terms of transit through Iran remain undisclosed, a representative from the Turkmen government indicated that initial supplies could reach up to 2 billion cubic meters per year to Turkey via Iran.
According to Turkmenistan’s official daily, Neutral Tyrkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the chairman of the country’s People’s Council, praised the agreement during a phone call with President Masoud Pezeshkian, deeming it a vital advancement in regional energy cooperation.
