Iranian FM to visit Turkmenistan for economic cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad- Javad Zarif will visit Turkmenistan to attend the 13th session of the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission, Iran Daily reported on Saturday. Iran's Ambassador to Turkmenistan Mohammad Mousa Hashemi Golpaygani said Zarif will leave Tehran for Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on Monday as head of a high-ranking politico- economic delegation. In addition to taking part in the economic meeting, the top diplomat will also hold talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. On the sidelines of the meeting, over 80 Iranian businessmen will attend a joint conference with their Turkmen counterparts to discuss investment in the Central Asian country, said the Iranian envoy to Turkmenistan. The administration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is keen to develop all-out relations with Turkmenistan, he added. The 12th session of the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission was held in the Iranian capital Tehran in July 2012, during which the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to increase trade and economic relations.