On 3 July, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, paid a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was reported by the TDH news agency.

The Hero Arkadag was received by officials at the capital’s international airport. At Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, the Turkmen delegation was met by the First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Reza Aref, and other officials. An honour guard was lined up.

As part of the visit, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan held negotiations with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, at the ‘Sarvestan’ Palace within the ‘Saadabad’ complex. The parties discussed the development of bilateral relations.

The President of Iran noted his interest in expanding multi-faceted cooperation with Turkmenistan and expressed his confidence that the visit would give new impetus to cooperation. Hero Arkadag conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The parties reaffirmed their commitment to developing cooperation based on the principles of good neighbourliness and mutual respect. It was noted that relations between the two countries are long-term and stable.

Particular attention was paid to trade and economic cooperation. The role of the joint Inter-governmental Commission, business forums and exhibitions was emphasised. They discussed the development of cooperation in the energy, transport and agricultural sectors. Among the key projects highlighted was the ‘Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran’ railway line, which forms part of the ‘North–South’ international corridor.

In addition, a meeting took place with the Chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The parties discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation, the work of friendship groups and the exchange of experience between parliamentarians.

The importance of preserving cultural heritage and developing humanitarian ties between the peoples of the two countries was emphasised.

Hero Arkadag also gave an interview to the Iranian television channel IRIB, in which he noted the steady development of Turkmen-Iranian relations in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

As part of the visit, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan visited the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Mosque in Tehran, where a memorial service was held.

A farewell ceremony was held there for the late Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The event was attended by officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Honour Guard Company played the official anthem, and verses from the Holy Quran were recited.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and expressed his condolences to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as to the Iranian side on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Turkmen people and himself personally. Hero Arkadag also signed the book of condolences.

At the conclusion of the visit, the National Leader of the Turkmen people proceeded to Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, from where he flew back to Turkmenistan. Hero Arkadag was met by officials at the capital’s international airport.

The visit reaffirmed the high level of Turkmen-Iranian dialogue and is aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation.