The second working meeting on establishing a joint trade zone between Turkmenistan and Iran, held under the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), took place in Iran’s Golestan Province, according to Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The event gathered representatives of the ECO, as well as senior officials from the trade, border, and customs agencies of both countries. The main focus of the discussions was the creation of a cross-border trade market at the “Altyn Asyr” – “Bajgiran” checkpoint.

The Turkmen delegation emphasized the importance of making full use of border and regional trade potential to boost trade turnover among ECO member states — a priority highlighted earlier by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during the summit of the organization’s heads of state.

The two sides discussed simplifying visa and customs procedures within the new trade zone, establishing insurance systems for commercial activities, and attracting foreign investment to the project.

ECO representatives noted that the implementation of the project would serve as a model for other member states. They confirmed readiness to draft a joint agreement and an action plan for the establishment of the trade zone at the “Altyn Asyr” – “Incheburun” border crossing, located between Turkmenistan’s Balkan Province and Iran’s Golestan Province.

Later in the day, the Turkmen delegation visited the proposed construction site. The Iranian side expressed its intention to fully restore operations at the customs checkpoint to pre-pandemic levels alongside the development of the trade zone.

The participants agreed to hold the next meeting of the working group in Turkmenistan.