TEHRAN, Iran, Aug. 28
Trend:
Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mohammad Eslami talked with Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov via a video conference meeting and asked for the removal of the restrictions to expand transit and trade between the two countries.
The two sides stressed the need for urgent action to remove transit restrictions between the two countries, expand regional cooperation, as well as develop strategic, economic and trade cooperation, especially amid Coronavirus outbreak, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development official website.
Referring to the health protocols enforced to prevent the number of Coronavirus cases in the field of transportation, Eslami said that the health protocols are strictly enforced at border crossings.
"Currently, Iran's border exchanges are resumed at 30 border checkpoints with neighbors,” the Iran Minister said.
He expressed hope that the volume of cross-border exchanges with neighboring countries, including Turkmenistan, would reach pre-pandemic levels.
Expressing concern over the border closures that have created many problems for two countries, he stated that "The sincere and strategic dialogue between the two presidents reflects the long-term strategic relations.”
Referring to Turkmenistan's investment in one of Iran's southern ports, Eslami said that "This investment is one of the most important issues of cooperation between the two countries."
He invited the representative of Turkmenistan to continue the negotiations in this regard.
The Minister stressed the need to reopen the Sarakhs and Inchehbrun borders.
Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov also praised the state of rail transport between the two countries, saying that the coronavirus pandemic has caused traffic disruptions and problems which has led to the closure of our borders since the beginning of current Iranian year (started on March 20).