Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari has met with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Raşit Meredow. Safari traveled to Turkmenistan to follow up agreements signed by the two countries during the recent visit of the Turkmen president to Tehran that happened in June. In the meeting, Safari explained the Islamic Republic of Iran’s economic possibilities and capabilities. He underlined the need for expansion of economic and trade ties with Turkmenistan and said Iran is ready to also give Turkmenistan access to high seas through southern Iranian ports like Bandar Abbas and Chah Bahar. The Iranian deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy said Iran is interested in boosting transit of goods through Turkmenistan. He added that it’s possible to increase cooperation between Tehran and Ashgabat in the oil and gas sector, including the transit of energy carriers from Turkmenistan to neighboring countries through Iranian soil. Safari further stressed, among others, the necessity of reducing tariffs, reopening the Bajgiran border market, launching the Parsesu border crossing and boosting cooperation between border provinces of the two countries. In the meeting, Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also welcomed Safari’s proposals and stressed the need to expand economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.