Iran’s Oil Minister and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister have emphasized deepening cooperation between their countries in the oil and gas sector, reviewing opportunities to expand joint efforts.
According to the National Iranian Gas Company’s public relations office, Mohsen Paknejad, Iran’s Oil Minister, met with Rashid Meredov, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister, on Tuesday, May 20. Paknejad highlighted the ongoing joint commission between the two countries and its diverse agenda, stating that such meetings can boost trade exchanges.
He stressed that constructive engagement with neighboring countries, especially Turkmenistan as a friendly and brotherly nation, is a priority in Iran’s foreign policy. The current administration, he said, is determined to strengthen energy cooperation with Turkmenistan1.
The minister pointed to the rapid implementation of the gas swap deal to transport Turkmen gas to Turkey via Iran, expressing hope that other energy agreements, such as gas imports from Turkmenistan, would progress just as swiftly.
Rashid Meredov, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister and head of the Cabinet of Ministers, stated that Iran and Turkmenistan have historically enjoyed strong relations, which have taken on new dimensions in recent years. Both sides are eager to expand cooperation across various sectors.
Meredov described the swift launch of the Turkmen gas swap to Turkey via Iran as a testament to strong bilateral ties. “Building on this positive experience, we can take further steps to expand relations in this field,” he said, adding that Turkmenistan has major plans for gas exports to Iran
He identified three main topics in talks with Iran: gas exports to Iran, joint development of pressure-boosting stations and pipelines, and gas swaps to third countries via Iran. Turkmenistan currently produces over 80 billion cubic meters of gas annually, a significant portion of which could be exported in collaboration with Iran.
