Visiting Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov and his accompanying delegation met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Saturday, June 16.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader referred to the good relations between Iran and Turkmenistan. He called for the utilization of all the resources and facilities existing in the two countries for the purpose of consolidating and deepening and expanding these relations.
Ayatollah Khamenei also touched on the cultural and religious commonalities that are shared by the nations of Iran and Turkmenistan and underlined the strategic position of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He stated that there is an appropriate ground for the further expansion of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the oil and gas sector and in the scientific and commercial areas.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the brilliant scientific era and cultural heritage and luminaries of the Islamic world.
"Muslims readily put their scientific achievements at the disposal of other nations, and the West's progress is owed to those teachings. But today the Westerners are behaving in a different manner," the Leader pointed out.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, also speaking at the meeting, told the Leader that his delegation held useful talks with the Iranian officials about the expansion of connecting links between the two countries, including railway, so that Iran may turn into a linking bridge between Turkmenistan and other countries.
"Turkmenistan has always welcomed the expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all areas, and our independent policy in the world is conducive to the expansion of relations and cooperation between the two countries," the president of Turkmenistan remarked.