Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Feb. 15/ Trend , E. Hasanov/ Turkmenistan and Iran, who possess huge hydrocarbon reserves, "attach great importance to the world energy security as one of the key elements of international security", the joint statement, issued by Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdimuhammedov and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran, said.
The Presidents stressed the need to design international law mechanisms to ensure world energy security. The Heads of State mentioned the Resolution on Reliable and Stable Transit of Energy Sources and Its Role in Ensuring Sustainable Development and International Cooperation initiated by Turkmenistan and adopted at the UN General Assembly 63rd session. Iran was co-author of the resolution.
The Presidents noted a positive experience of construction and launch of facilities of intergovernmental significance. One of them is Korpeje-Kurtkui pipeline which pipes natural gas from Turkmenistan to Iran. The Presidents also studied possibilities of further implementation of joint projects.
Presidents said they attach great importance to enhanced and mutually beneficial energy cooperation. The respective bodies have been instructed to deal with the issue of construction of Mari-Seraks-Mashhad transmission facility.
Dostluk water-retaining structure on Tejen (Gerirud) river is a striking example of fruitful economic partnership between the countries. The Presidents stated a need to solve all problems related to the use of waters of Sumbar and Etrek trans-boundary rivers as soon as possible.
The Presidents confirmed their will to enhance cooperation in the development of transport infrastructure. Tejen-Seraks-Mashhad railway is of great importance in this regard. The importance of Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, which is under construction, was also mentioned. Heads of the State instructed their governments to address all problems concerning this large railway project.
Presidents emphasized significance of mutually beneficial cooperation and providing all conditions for the motor transport shipments.
Trade is one of the cooperation priorities. The Presidents mentioned rise in the trade turnover and a need for exchange of experience in agriculture. Joint Economic Cooperation Commission is an effective mechanism to coordinate economic cooperation. The next meeting of the commission will be held in the first half of 2009.
Heads of the State also discussed Caspian Sea issues. Turkmenistan and Iran, who are actively involved in talks, consider that "soonest resolution of the Caspian Sea status by five states will further promote peace and security, sustainable development and overall economic cooperation among the Caspian littoral states. It will also enable to create favorable condition for effective and rational use of hydrocarbon and biological resources of the Caspian Sea."
"The issues related to the Caspian Sea must be decided only by the Caspian littoral states." The Presidents welcomed implementation of the framework convention on protection of the Caspian Sea marine environment (the Tehran convention) and stressed a need for new protocols for it and also protocol on regional preparedness, response and cooperation in case of incidents which can cause oil contamination.
The meeting also focused on coincidence of the two country's position on many important international issues. In this context, the Presidents expressed their striving for promoting peace, security and stability in the region and worldwide and deepened cooperation between governments, within the UN and other international organizations.
Heads of the state expressed their support for international efforts in the war on terrorism, drug trafficking and other threats.
Given historical religious and cultural ties, the Presidents decided to promote dialogue in the field of culture, science, education, tourism and sports through conferences, seminars and exhibitions.
The statement said Berdimuhammedov expressed "his sincere gratitude for warm reception" and invited Iranian President to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan. "The Iranian President accepted the proposal. The date of the visit will be made public via diplomatic channels."
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