Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the chairman of the People’s Council of the National Assembly of Turkmenistan (Khamenei.ir)

Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei expressed on Wednesday Iran's readiness to strengthen ties with Turkmenistan in the energy and transportation sectors, Iranian news agency Mehr reported.

During a meeting with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the chairman of the People’s Council of the National Assembly of Turkmenistan, Sayyed Khamenei said Iran and Turkmenistan are two brotherly countries with numerous cultural similarities, emphasizing that these cultural similarities are a crucial foundation for further increasing partnerships in different sectors, particularly energy, and transportation.

The Iranian leader stressed that "these cultural fields should not be underestimated."

Sayyed Khamenei hailed Berdimuhamedov's special focus on cultural and religious files, as well as his initiatives to build more cultural centers and mosques.

"In the field of commercial issues, there are more potential to expand cooperation, especially in the road sector and areas related to water, electricity and gas. The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate in these sectors," he indicated.

In response to Berdimuhamedov's request for the participation of Iranian professionals and experts in constructing a highway from the Iran-Turkmenistan border to the Caspian Sea, Sayyed Khamenei affirmed that "Iran's Ministry of Roads has the capability to build this highway."

He continued, "Considering the important position of land and rail communications in the global economy, we are determined to complete the North-South transit corridor that can link Turkmenistan and its surrounding countries to the Oman Sea."

The Iranian leader said the development of relations between Iran and Turkmenistan would benefit both nations, adding that "more cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkmenistan will be the basis for improving the status of the two countries in the changing world."

On his part, Berdimuhamedov told Sayyed Khamenei, "I have always used your excellency's views and recommendations during my trips to Iran over the past years and during my presidency, and based on those recommendations, important work has been done and in this meeting, I am also looking for recommendations to carry out big projects in Turkmenistan."

Touching on his talks with Iranian officials, Berdimuhamedov highlighted that "good agreements were reached to expand cooperation, especially the use of Iranian specialists and experts in road construction and water, electricity and gas fields."

On Tuesday, Berdimuhamedov arrived in Tehran, leading a high-level delegation of political and economic figures.

Several cooperation documents were signed between officials from the two nations during his visit.