MNA � Iranian deputy FM Rahimpour and Turkmen Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow met in Ashgabat Wed. to confer on a wide range of issues regarding bilateral, regional and international relations.


Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Oceania Affairs, Ebrahim Rahimpour, who is in Turkmenistan�to attend the 49th meeting�of the�Special Working Group�on the�legal status of the�Caspian�Sea, held talks with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow in Ashgabat on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Rahimpour noted the various major projects implemented between the two countries during Hassan Rouhani�s first term as president, adding �we are interested in expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan�in all areas such as economy, energy, and gas swap during Pres. Rouhani�s second term in office.�

Rahimpour then referred to Foreign Minister Zarif�s recent visit to Turkmenistan�and the fruitful exchanges of views between the two countries� senior officials, adding �following the visit and under the prisoner transfer agreement, a number of Iranian prisoners detained in Turkmenistan�were transferred back to our country. We are hoping that the next stage of prisoner transfer will soon take place.�

Meredow, for his part, noted the many economic projects that have been implemented between the two countries, adding �there is ample opportunity for expanding cooperation in the field of energy.�

He also stressed that under the agreements, his country will continue the prisoner transfer with Iran.

�The two countries have had bilateral and multilateral cooperation on combating terrorism,� he said, adding �we welcome the continuation and expansion of such cooperation with Iran.�

The Turkmen foreign minister further highlighted Iran�s positive role in regional developments regarding the peace process in Syria, adding �we fully respect Iran�s role in improving the situation in the region.�