Tehran, IRNA – Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili said that profound cultural commonalities between Turkmenistan and Iran have led to strengthening of all-out mutual ties.
Esmaili, who is in Ashgabat to take part in the opening ceremony of Iran’s cultural days and handicrafts exhibition, held talks with Turkmenistan’s Vice President responsible for Culture and Media Maysa Yazmuhamedova on Monday.
According to the culture minister, holding Nowrouz ceremony in a border city, producing movies based on common civilization, as well as producing works for children and teenagers are among parts of agreements reached by Turkmenistan and Iran.
In the recent visit by Turkmenistan’s president to Iran, both chief executives signed some memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral relationship, the minister noted.
He also noted that more than 14,000 news websites have got permission to operate in Iran; so, the Culture Ministry is ready to develop media cooperation with Turkmenistan.
The Tehran International Book Fair is one of the biggest exhibitions at regional level, he said, adding that “we are keen on inviting Turkmenistan to attend the cultural event as a special guest in the coming book fair”.
For her part, the Turkmen vice-president said that the cultural delegations of both countries with the special supports by presidents of the two states are exchanging views to find different ways to expand cultural relations between Iran and Turkmenistan.
She also welcomed the participation of Iranian artistic and cultural celebrities at future festivals in Turkmenistan, expressing readiness to sign MoUs to pursue joint programs.
Iran’s cultural days, as well as handicrafts exhibition opened in the presence of Iranian culture minister, ambassador to Ashgabat and some high-ranking Turkmen officials.
Over 50 Iranians active in music, painting, handicrafts and other cultural and artistic arenas have been dispatched to Turkmenistan to attend Iran’s cultural week in the Central Asian country.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
