At the 18th session of the Turkmen-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, held on May 19–20 in Tehran, the Turkmen side proposed the creation of trade and economic zones in specific sections along the shared border. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

The proposal was made during discussions on the prospects for further development of trade relations between the two countries. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iran.

The meeting was chaired by the co-chairs of the commission — Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Farzaneh Sadat Malekijerd.

In addition to the issue of border trade zones, participants thoroughly discussed a wide range of cooperation areas, including potential partnerships in transport and logistics, the gas sector, industry, agriculture and water management, as well as investment and standardization.

The two sides also reviewed the progress made in implementing the decisions from the previous commission meeting and emphasized the important role of this intergovernmental mechanism in executing earlier agreements.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol of the 18th Session of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Iranian Commission on Economic Cooperation, which formalized the new agreements reached between the two countries.

During his visit to Tehran, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov also held separate bilateral meetings with Iranian Minister of Energy Abbas Aliabadi and Minister of Oil Mohsen Paknejad.