On the sidelines of The First Caspian Governors’ Forum, the governors of Guilan and the Balkans in Turkmenistan highlighted the importance of economic development, energy, transportation, and tourism cooperation. According to a report from the Guilan Governor’s Public Relations Office, Hadi Haghshenas this afternoon (Tuesday) on the sidelines of The First Caspian Governors’ Forum in a bilateral meeting with Ashir Muradov, the Governor of the Balkans of Turkmenistan, mentioned the history of coexistence of different ethnic groups in the northern provinces of the country. He pointed out that the provinces of Guilan , Mazandaran, and Golestan are, as in the past, home to Turkmen, Kurdish, Turkish, Baluch, Sistani, and Azeri-speaking people, and this ethnic diversity has created a valuable capacity for cultural and economic interactions.
Regarding the significant land and sea traffic between Iran and neighboring Caspian countries, he stated that the heads of Caspian bordering countries always emphasize strengthening cooperation, and expanding communication routes can increase the speed of developing relations.
The governor of Guilan emphasized the need to establish and strengthen flight routes among the northern provinces and Caspian countries as a necessity. He mentioned that during his term of office in Golestan, the Gorgan-Aftabeh flight was launched; Dushanbe-Mashhad flights and flights related to Ashgabat are currently operating. Guilan is also ready to develop flights from Rasht to regional destinations through planning.
Referring to the energy and transit capacities of Guilan, Haghshenas stated that they are ready to expand bilateral cooperation in the field of energy exchange, including oil and diesel. They will provide the goods needed by the other party through the Guilan route.
He also mentioned that establishing a bank branch of the Caspian countries in the Anzali Free Zone can facilitate economic exchanges. An Iranian bank active in Moscow, operating according to Russian banking regulations, is ready to expand its cooperation and establish a branch in the Anzali Free Zone.
The Governor of Guilan emphasized that this meeting was the first stage of joint cooperation between Guilan and Turkmenistan initiating broader programs in economic, trade and transportation cooperation between Guilan and the Caspian Sea countries.
During the meeting, Ashir Muradov, the governor of the Balkan province in Turkmenistan, appreciated the hosting of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Guilan province. He considered the development of provincial cooperation in the Caspian region essential, stating that Balkan province and Guilan province can define operational and targeted cooperation in many areas, including trade, energy, transportation, and tourism.
Referring to the long-standing relations between the people of the two countries, he mentioned that
“ the presence of different ethnic groups in the northern provinces of Iran and the cultural proximity of the people of Turkmenistan with the people of Guilan and Golestan pave the way for strengthening human and economic ties. He believes that the existing potential capacities should be transformed into joint and feasible projects.
