Turkmenistan keen to expand energy ties with Iran

Turkmenistan's Deputy Electricity Minister Jabbar Atayev called for the further expansion of bilateral ties with Iran in the energy sector. “Enhancement of mutual cooperation in the energy field with Iran top Turkmenistan's agenda,” the Turkmen official said. He underlined that Iran and Turkmenistan are presently cooperating in the energy field through two 230-kilowatt lines of Mashhad and Gonbad-e Qabous. Earlier this month, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow hailed the existing friendly relations between Tehran and Ashgabat, and stressed the need for the expansion of mutual cooperation between the two nations in all fields, particularly in the establishment of peace and security in the region. “Iran and Turkmenistan have a very close view on the establishment of peace, stability and tranquility in the region,” Larijani said in a meeting with Berdimuhamedow in Ashgabat. He praised Turkmenistan’s considerable progress during recent years, saying Iran is ready to work closely with the country to contribute to its development. “Iran is ready to carry out infrastructural projects in Turkmenistan, particularly with regard to roads, refineries, oil and gas,” the Iranian speaker pointed out. The Turkmenistan president, for his part, lauded the growing trend of bilateral cooperation with Iran on various political, economic and cultural arenas; expressing hope the two countries will witness further expansion of relations. ? ?