Two days of full range Iran-Turkmenistan talks: Gas import, transport document

İranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkmen People’s Council Chairman, Ex-President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and discussed the full range of bilateral cooperation with a strong focus on transport, energy and gas sectors during the latter’s two-day visit to Iran on May 30.

During the visit, the sides also discussed the issues of stability and security in Central Asia and the region’s neighbourhood amid global uncertainties, News Central Asia reports.

Berdimuhamedov also proposed to organise mutual visits of representatives of ministries and governments on a regular basis to develop specific mechanisms for expanding the partnership between the two countries.

Among the topical areas of bilateral cooperation, the parties identified the gas sector, the electric power industry, the transport complex, and the water sector. In this regard, the progress of the agreements reached in these areas and the possibility of implementing new joint projects were discussed.

Here, the sides suggested stepping up the settlement of issues related to gas supplies and transit, boosting exports and imports, and strengthening cooperation in the transport and electric power industries.

The electric power industry was named among the promising vectors of the partnership. In this aspect, the importance of accelerating the work on laying the Mary–Mashhad power transmission line was discussed.

Stressing that the 300th anniversary of the outstanding thinker and poet Makhtumkuli Fragi will be widely celebrated in 2024, Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that creative forums will be organised jointly with Iran in honour of this date.

Similarly, Berdimuhamedov met with Iran’s Political Expediency Council Chairman Sadeq Amoli Larijani and covered a wide range of partnership issues both in a bilateral format and within the framework of major international organisations.

It was emphasised that at present the interstate dialogue in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres is developing on the principles of mutual respect and good neighbourliness

Energy, gas cooperation

Iranian Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian said the current 500 megawatts capacity of electricity swap between Iran and Turkmenistan will double to 1,000 MW after the inauguration of a new transmission line between the two nations.

“In these meetings, it was agreed that the operationalization of the construction of the four-circuit transmission line between Merv and Sarkhes, which is 150 km long, will begin as soon as possible; The contractor for building this line is an Iranian company, and the equipment and facilities produced in Iran are used in this field,” Mehrabian said.

The Iranian minister added that currently, Iran has the capacity to exchange 500 megawatts of electricity with Turkmenistan, and with the construction of the new Merv-Sarkhes line, the volume of electricity exchanges between the two countries will increase to double that volume to 1,000 MW.

Additionally, Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji says that Iran will soon sign a contract with Turkmenistan to import natural gas from the neighbouring country.

He noted that around 10 million cubic meters of natural gas per day is to be imported from Turkmenistan as per the contract, said.

The import of gas is scheduled to be started in June.

Iran, Turkmenistan to prepare comprehensive transport document

Emphasizing the activation of Ashgabat agreement, Iran’s Roads and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bazrpash announced the drafting of a comprehensive transportation document between Iran and Turkmenistan.

Bazarpash emphasised strengthening the relations between the two countries by pointing out that the two countries have a lot in common in transportation matters.

Stating that there are 600 wagons passing through shared Sarakhs and Incheh Borun border crossing every day, Bazrpash said “Considering the potential of these borders, we should look for a further increase in wagons.”

Stressing the revival of Ashgabat agreement, the Iranian minister suggested that the implementation and operational phase of the Ashgabat transit agreement be followed up on in the joint economic commission of Iran and Turkmenistan, which will be held in Turkmenistan next month, with the participation of the member states.

Bazrpash also voiced Iran’s readiness in welcoming Turkmen investors in the ports in the north and south of Iran.