May 13, The Iran Project - Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov arrived in Tehran on Saturday (May 12) at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation with the aim to meet top Iranian officials and consider ways to develop and expand all-out ties with Tehran.

During his 2-day visit to Tehran, Meredov was received by President Hassan Rouhani and held talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Akbar Velayati, the senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Talking to Meredov, President Rouhani said the Islamic Republic is determined to develop relations with all neighboring states, including Turkmenistan, regarding matters of mutual interest.

"There is no obstacle in the way of expanding relations between the two countries and it is necessary for these ties to be improved in all areas," Rouhani stated.

Meredov, for his part, submitted a written message from the Turkmen president to Rouhani and called for signing long-term agreements with Tehran in all sectors.

In a meeting with Meredov, Zarif welcomed the development of political, economic and cultural cooperation with Turkmenistan.

"We have no limits in the way of boosting cooperation and are ready to expand and develop mutual relations with the neighboring country, Turkmenistan," Zarif noted.

The top Turkmen diplomat, in turn, expressed his country's readiness to develop ties with Iran in different fields.

Velayati in meeting with Meredov said Iran believes in special importance for Tehran –Ashgabat relations, and expressed hope that this visit could be more fruitful than former visits.

Advisor to the Supreme Leader said the two countries have long common borders with each other as well as commonalties in religion, history and culture.

Also, Meredov submitted special letter of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov for the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Velayati.

He said Iran and Turkmenistan have common history and culture, and appreciated Iranian government and nation for paying much attention to these commonalties.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Meredov in Tehran, Velayati said the United States stands to suffer the most after its move to withdraw from a multilateral nuclear deal signed between Iran and major world powers in 2015.

Velayati said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran fully protects its independence and will by no means bow to their (Americans’) bullying and we have proved this over the past 40 years.”