Turkmenistan and Iran Consolidate, Expand Bilateral Relations

Ashgabat, 17 June 2007 (nCa) --- President Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov of Turkmenistan returned Saturday night after his 2-day trip to Iran. During the Iran visit he managed to consolidate and expand mutual relations and clear way for a regional railways project.

During the tightly packed visit, Berdymuhammedov had two rounds of talks with President Mahmoud Ahmedinezhad of Iran, called on Ayatollah Khamenei, laid flowers at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, signed a joint communiqué and placed order with Iran Khodro for purchase of 1000 buses.

Here are the salient features of his visit:

Railway link: Iran has agreed to build a railway link between Gorgan (Iran) and Bereket (Turkmenistan). This link would connect with the Turkmenbashy (Turkmenistan) – Eralievo (Kazakhstan) that was approved during Berdymuhammedov’s recent visit to Kazakhstan. Together, these two links would provide a shortcut between Iran and Central Asia. Broader railways cooperation agreement would be signed between Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the second Caspian summit later this year.

Purchase of buses: Turkmenistan would purchase 1000 buses and other vehicles from Iran Khodro, the largest auto manufacturer of Iran. Of these, 30 buses would be delivered this week and 310 would be delivered within the next four months. The rest of the order would depend on whether the Iranian buses prove suitable for the weather and road conditions of Turkmenistan. The value of the initial order is US $ 30 million. Ten intercity luxury buses and 340 urban buses are included in the initial order. Simultaneously, Turkmenistan would purchase 100 vehicles for police and other organs with total value of US $ 864950. Iran Khodro, established in 1962, is the leading auto manufacturer of Iran, occupying 70% of the local market. Iran Khodro produces cars, buses and other vehicles under license from world known manufacturers. Iran offered to establish an auto manufacturing facility in Turkmenistan.

Joint communiqué: Presidents of Iran and Turkmenistan signed a joint communiqué for development of bilateral relations.

Interstate quarantine agreement: An agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Co-operation in Plant Quarantine and Protection and Pests, Disease and Weed Control

Interdepartmental quarantine memorandum: A memorandum between the State Agency for Plant Quarantine of the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Railroad Administrative Department of the IRI Ministry of Railway Transport.

Joint committee to combat drug trafficking: Iran and Turkmenistan agreed to form a special committee to combat drug trafficking in the region.