THE AMBASSADOR OF TURKMENISTAN VISITED THE ECO TOURISM CAPITAL FOR 2023

On 27 April 2023, Ardabil city of Aradabil province of the Islamic Republic of Iran was declared in solemn atmosphere as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2023. The event was attended by Mr. Ezzatollah Zarghami, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Seyed Hamed Ameli, Governor of Ardabil Province, heads and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of ECO countries, as well as the diplomats accredited in Iran from the People’s Republic of China, Serbia Bulgaria, Romania and administration and senior officials of the ECO Secretariat.

During the ceremony which took place at the Ardabil Congress Center, the speakers noted the importance of strengthening work in the field of tourism, the development of this segment in the region, that will also contribute to the economic development of ECO countries. 

The Iranian side also prepared a special excursion program that includes familiarization with the city itself and province of Ardabil, visiting cultural sightseeings of the region, such as Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah Memorial Mausoleum, which was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage in 2010, Dasht-e-Moghan agricultural area, Sarein Hot Springs and etc.

Within the framework of the visit, Ambassador A.Gurbanov called on Governor of Ardabil Province Mr. Seyed Hamed Ameli, who warmly welcomed and expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for its participation in this important event. 

During the meeting the Iranian side also spoke in detail about the peculiarities of Ardabil, its spiritual, historical and geopolitical importance. Besides, the sides discussed the prospects of development of cooperation in the entire spectrum of areas of mutual interest, as transport connectivity, trade, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the issues of promoting regional tourism cooperation.

The Ambassador also expressed readiness of Turkmen side to consider constructive proposals to expand cooperation in various areas, taking into account the existing perspectives. At the same time, the Iranian side was briefly informed about Turkmenistan's policy, carried out successfully in 2023 under the motto “Happy youth with Arkadag Serdar”, implementation of major infrastructural projects in transport, communications sphere, urban development, industry, social sphere, and policy of Turkmenistan on development of relations with the countries of the region.