Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref who is visiting Turkmenistan to take part at a UN-sponsored meeting said Tehran supports development of transit routes as well as peaceful settlement of differences among its neighboring and regional countries to promote economic and trade exchanges.

“The serious priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the development of corridors that connect Asia, Europe and Africa. This important issue will be emphasized in this visit,” Aref said prior to his departure to Turkmenistan to participate at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC).

Aref also said he will exchange views in Turkmenistan especially on the transit sector considering Iran’s exceptional geographical position as a potential hub connecting the three continents, according to the website of the Iranian First Vice President’s Office.

The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries is held on August 5-8 in the city of Awaza, Turkmenistan. Its objective is to offer a chance to the landlocked developing countries as they face hurdles in trade, connectivity, and development because they lack direct sea access or coastal ports. They have to rely on transit nations, causing higher trade costs and delays.

The Iranian First Vice President also said Tehran supports establishment of peace and security among the neighboring and regional countries as prerequisites of development.

On the sidelines of the Awaza Conference, Aref met with the Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan during which he stressed expansion of Tehran-Yerevan trade relations.

He supported the on-going peace talks between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia which are Iran’s neighboring countries in the South Caucasus without the interference of foreign countries.

Aref also had a meeting with Chairman of Presidential Council of Libya Mohammad Al-Menfi where the Iranian official supported the inter-Libyan talks and welcomed the increase in bilateral trade exchanges following re-opening of the Embassies in Tehran and Tripoli.

During his stay in Turkmenistan, the Iranian First Vice President is scheduled to meet UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, officials of the host country Turkmenistan as well as a number of high-ranking participants of the conference.

Bilateral ties and theme of the Awaza LLDC Conference will be discussed at these meetings.

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