Text of Joint Turkmenistan-Iran Statement

The following is the text of a joint communiqué issued by the Turkmen and Iranian presidents, Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow and Mahmud Ahmadinezhad, at the end of Berdimuhammedow's official visit to Tehran on 15-16 June, as published by Turkmen State News Service on 18 June:

A joint communique by the president of Turkmenistan and the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the enhancement of bilateral relations:

At the invitation of His Excellence Mahmud Ahmadinezhad, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellence Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow, the president of Turkmenistan, paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, heading a high-level political and business delegation, on 15-16 June 2007, or 25-26 Khordad 1386 by the solar calendar.

During the visit, His Excellence Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow, the president of Turkmenistan, had a meeting with the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamene'i, and held talks with Mahmud Ahmadinezhad, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the course of the talks, held in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding, the presidents of the two countries discussed bilateral partnership as well as topical issues of regional and international importance.

Underlining the common principles of good neighbourliness, equality, justice, mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and adherence to universal principles, norms and regulations, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the president of Turkmenistan agreed on the following:

1. The sides, guided by the principle of good neighbourliness and common historical and cultural background, state their readiness for further enhancement of bilateral relations in the political, economic, scientific, technological, cultural and healthcare spheres.

2. The sides, with the aim of strengthening ties between the two states, stress the need for and the importance of contacts and consultations between officials of the two countries at various levels.

3. The sides, assuming that the border between the two countries are frontiers of peace, friendship and brotherhood, underline the need for a peaceful resolution of all border-related issues and for convening, within the next three months, the fifth session of the joint Turkmen-Iranian commission on consular, border and customs issues.

4. The sides, having pointed out the need for enhancing bilateral partnership in the energy sphere, emphasize the importance of continuation of exports of gas, electricity, oil and petrochemicals from Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as continuation of the implementation of bilateral accords in this sphere.

5. The sides underline their earnest efforts to ensure the implementation of accords achieved at the ninth session of the joint commission on economic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, viewing this as an important factor in expanding bilateral trade and economic ties.

6. The sides, expressing their satisfaction with the present level of bilateral trade and economic ties, agree to expand trade and economic partnership and simplify terms and conditions for businessmen of both countries.

7. The sides emphasize the necessity of using water resources of the two countries based on bilateral accords and agreements signed.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran, having underlined the importance of partnership in the transportation sphere, welcomes a proposal made by the Turkmen side to construct the Turkmenbasy-Gorgan railway line with the use of the railway network of the two countries.

9. The sides, taking into account the role and importance of air transportation in enhancing trade and economic relations, underline the usefulness of resuming flights between the two countries.

10. The two heads of state, having noted the importance of enhancing mutual ties in the humanitarian sphere, reiterate their mutual interest in deepening partnership in culture, art, tourism and sports, as well as in increasing contacts between creative, tourist and sports associations.

In this context, Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran express their adherence to the cause of preserving and strengthening spiritual, cultural and humanitarian ties between the peoples of the two countries.

11. The sides, having emphasized the need for boosting efforts to maintain peace and security in the region, support resolving regional problems via dialogue and by peaceful means.

12. The sides stress that the Caspian Sea remains an invariable zone of peace, friendship and brotherhood for the countries that share it, and underline the need for resolving all relevant issues by the five littoral countries by diplomatic means and methods.

13. The sides, welcoming the results of talks held between special representatives of the [Caspian] littoral countries to prepare for the second summit of the leaders of the Caspian littoral countries, support the convening of this summit as soon as possible and also underline the necessity of concluding a final agreement on the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

14. The sides, expressing satisfaction with the results of bilateral discussions on Caspian Sea issues and its legal status, stress their intention to continue the talks at the expert level in order to achieve mutually acceptable solutions to issues of common interest.

15. Turkmenistan supports the active and positive role of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its foreign policy in resolving regional and international issues aimed at strengthening peace, stability and accord.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its support for Turkmenistan's neutral status and commends Turkmenistan's foreign policy aimed at strengthening regional and international stability, peace and accord.

16. The sides, stressing that they will not allow their territories to be used against each other and noting that the problems of terrorism and illicit drugs trafficking are common for the whole world, declare their readiness for stepping up partnership in the sphere of security to counter these challenges.

At the end of the visit, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow of Turkmenistan expressed his gratitude to the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmud Ahmadinezhad, for the warm reception and hospitality, and invited him to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan. The invitation was accepted with gratitude. The date of the visit will be agreed via diplomatic channels.

[The statement was] made in the city of Tehran 16 June 2007, or 26 Khordad 1386 by the solar calendar, in two authentic copies in the Turkmen and Persian languages, both of which have equal validity.

[Signed] President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow of Turkmenistan and President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad of the Islamic Republic of Iran