On February 10, a telephone conversation took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Exchanging warm greetings, the interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the high level of bilateral relations, based on the principles of good neighborliness, friendship, and brotherhood.
On behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan, as well as personally, Hero-Arkadag sincerely congratulated the head of the Iranian government on the national holiday—Revolution Day—and wished him success in his responsible state activities, as well as peace, prosperity, and further progress to the friendly Iranian people.
Taking the opportunity, the National Leader of the Turkmen people conveyed greetings to President Masoud Pezeshkian on behalf of the Head of State, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Expressing gratitude for the kind wishes, the head of the friendly state emphasized Iran’s great attention to strengthening cooperation with neighboring Turkmenistan and, in turn, extended his greetings and best wishes to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
As noted during the telephone conversation, Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran maintain diverse relations based on historically established ties of friendship and brotherhood. Our countries cooperate in key global agenda areas such as peace and security, sustainable development, and environmental protection. In this regard, a proposal was made to continue the targeted intergovernmental dialogue consistently.
This year is particularly significant for Turkmenistan: as is well known, at the initiative of our country, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2025 as the "International Year of Peace and Trust."
Hero-Arkadag, expressing gratitude to the Iranian side for supporting this initiative—of which Iran was also a co-author—emphasized Turkmenistan’s strong recognition and support of Iran’s activities on the international stage.
It was highlighted that on December 12, 2025, Ashgabat will host the International Forum on Peace and Trust, which will be one of the key events of the current year.
During the Forum, events marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality will be held, noted the National Leader of the Turkmen people, inviting President Masoud Pezeshkian to the International Leaders’ Forum and festive celebrations. The participation of the head of the friendly country's government would significantly enhance the level of the upcoming events.
Informing that an official invitation would be sent soon, Hero-Arkadag expressed confidence in Iran’s support for Turkmenistan’s efforts in the context of the International Year of Peace and Trust. In this regard, it was proposed to consider organizing joint thematic events.
Hero-Arkadag also stated Turkmenistan’s support for holding consultations between the foreign ministries of both states, proposing that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan visit Iran in the coming days.
Focusing on bilateral relations, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty emphasized the priority areas of cooperation that were discussed during his working visit to Iran in August last year and later in Ashgabat during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit in October of the same year.
Continuing the telephone conversation, the interlocutors noted the role of Turkmen-Iranian economic cooperation. In this regard, the presence of great potential for increasing trade turnover was highlighted, and it was proposed to maximize these opportunities.
In this context, Hero-Arkadag suggested organizing the next meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation soon. It was emphasized that the meeting's agenda should include a broad range of issues related to strengthening bilateral partnerships in energy, transport, industry, and other sectors.
For many years, our countries have cooperated in the fuel and energy sector, stated the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, announcing the agreement with the company "BOTAŞ" on the transit of Turkmen natural gas through Iran to the Republic of Turkey via a SWAP arrangement.
Additionally, Hero-Arkadag reported that, to strengthen cooperation in the electricity sector, Turkmenistan proposed constructing a section from the Mary Hydroelectric Power Station to the Iranian border as part of the Mary–Mashhad power transmission line project.
It was noted that the necessary negotiations had already taken place with the Iranian side, and the relevant document had been signed, stipulating that the project would be implemented by Iranian companies.
Among the main areas of cooperation is transport. Turkmenistan and Iran occupy a strategic geographical position at the junction of Asia and Europe, between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, providing significant opportunities for constructive partnership in transport and logistics.
In this regard, the importance of the highway from the Iranian border to the city of Gumdag in Turkmenistan was emphasized. A memorandum for implementing this project has been signed, with an Iranian company acting as the contractor. To execute the project, it was proposed to assign relevant state agencies and companies.
Hero-Arkadag also drew attention to water issues, noting their relevance to our region.
— Turkmenistan’s position on water issues was outlined by me at the “One Water” Summit in Riyadh in December last year. This matter should be based on three key principles: first, compliance with international law; second, mutual consideration of the interests of all regional countries; and third, involving international organizations, primarily the United Nations, in addressing this issue, — said the National Leader of the Turkmen people. He then proposed joint efforts between Turkmenistan and Iran to address regional water challenges.
Hero-Arkadag highlighted another important issue—the situation in the Caspian Sea. It was noted that our countries cooperate on this matter bilaterally and in a five-party format, and in this regard, it was proposed to enhance targeted cooperation.
On February 17–18 this year, the third Caspian Economic Forum will be held in Tehran, with a high-level delegation from Turkmenistan participating. In this context, it was emphasized that the Forum should focus on solving economic, social, environmental, and humanitarian issues related to the Caspian region.
An integral part of intergovernmental dialogue is the cultural and humanitarian sphere. Our countries actively cooperate in this area, regularly holding reciprocal Cultural Days and other thematic events. It was proposed to continue this practice.
Last year, the 300th anniversary of the great Turkmen poet and thinker of the East, Magtymguly Pyragy, was celebrated with great solemnity at the international level. In honor of this date, numerous joint cultural events were also held in Iran, said Hero-Arkadag, expressing gratitude to the Iranian side for their active participation.
The interlocutors emphasized the need to intensify joint work in literature and the arts, as well as to organize conferences dedicated to the life and work of outstanding historical figures, literary, and artistic figures.
At the same time, the importance of strengthening cooperation in science and education was highlighted, including sharing expertise in natural sciences and high technologies.
In conclusion, Hero-Arkadag reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to further develop relations with Iran in all areas and expressed confidence that the telephone conversation would contribute to strengthening the Turkmen-Iranian dialogue.
At the end of the conversation, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, exchanged wishes for good health, success in their responsible state activities, as well as peace, prosperity, and well-being for the peoples of the two friendly countries.
