TEHRAN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Turkmenistan on Thursday agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation, and discussed regional and international issues of common interest, according to statements released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat and held a meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, during which he said Iran highlighted the expansion of relations with neighbors, including Turkmenistan.

Amir-Abdollahian described as positive the growing bilateral relations, stressing the necessity to promote bilateral cooperation in gas, power, water management, transportation, and trade sectors as well as the implementation of infrastructure projects between the two sides.

For his part, the Turkmen president expressed satisfaction with the "excellent" level of the "friendly and brotherly" relations between Tehran and Ashgabat, inviting Iranian companies to be more active in Turkmenistan.

The two sides also discussed fighting terrorism in the region and helping ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as issues pertaining to the Caspian Sea, of which they both have a share.

In another meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov, Amir-Abdollahian said managing water resources was among the important issues in the region, and that the two countries should have constant cooperation in that area.

He added that the continuation of the negotiations on the legal, security and economic issues of the Caspian Sea was necessary, voicing Iran's readiness to host the third Caspian Economic Forum at the level of prime ministers.

During the talks, the Turkmen foreign minister said the bilateral relations were positive and strong, stressing the need for continued cooperation between the two countries in international organizations. Enditem

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