Ashkhabad, April 22, IRNA -- Iran's President Mohammad Khatami and
his Turkmen counterpart Saparmyrat Niyazov ended closed-door talks
minutes ago.
The talks, held at Turkmenistan's presidential palace in Ashkhabad
lasted for almost two hours.
Official sources have not yet released any report on outcome of
the talks.
According to the informed sources, the Caspian Sea summit, that
is to be held in Ashkhabad from April 23-24, Tehran-Ashkhabad ties
and regional issues and events have been the most important issues
raised in the meeting.
Khatami arrived in Turkmenistan on Monday and started talks with
Niyazov immediately after ceremonies to officially welcome him.
Khatami says Caspian Sea summit is positive step
Tehran, April 22, IRNA -- Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said here
Monday that the upcoming summit of head of Caspian sea littoral states
will be fruitful in reaching a consensus on Caspian Sea's legal
regime.
The summit is to be held on April 23-24 with participation of five
countries of Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in
Ashkhabad.
Before leaving Tehran, Khatami also said that the issue is
complicated and needs further study and expert analysis.
It is only natural that the countries will take into account their
own interest in determining a legal regime for the Caspian Sea 'as it
should be, but, Tehran believes that it is necessary to come up with a
consensus for any legal regime', he added.
He pointed out that the purpose of holding the conference is quite
noble and Tehran sees the conference as a valuable opportunity to
provide more expert analysis while incorporating the other countries'
interests.
Khatami said the littoral states should value the sea and it is
essential to have peace and security in the region.
He also referred to his trip to five Central Asian States, adding
that the trip is in response to the visits by the presidents of those
countries to Iran and is in line with the expansion of cordial ties
between the countries.
He also cited the importance that Tehran attaches to the bilateral
ties with those countries due to its shared common values. It is
natural for the ties to be cordial between the two sides, the Iranian
president said.
He said there are ample capacities for further consolidation of
ties between Iran and Central Asian Countries and hopefully the
Iranian delegation, in cooperation with their counterparts will
solidify plans for preserving peace and stability in the region.
President Mohammad Khatami on Monday afternoon left Tehran for the
Turkmen capital of Ashkhabad at the start of a regional tour of five
Central Asian countries.
President Khatami's tour to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is taking place at the invitation of the
presidents of those countries and in response to their visits to
Tehran.
At their meeting, Khatami will discuss the latest regional and
international developments with his counterparts. They will also
discuss ways of promoting mutual ties in different fields.
President Khatami is accompanied on his tour of Central Asian
countries by Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Minister of Economy and
Finance Tahmasb Mazaheri, Minister of Road and Transportation Ahmad
Khorram, head of the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Commission as
well as a number of deputy ministers.
... Payvand News - 4/23/02 ... --
