IRAN/TURKMENISTAN: DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HAJIYEV

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 001531 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/IR AND SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM IR TX SUBJECT: IRAN/TURKMENISTAN: DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HAJIYEV ON IRAN Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES RICHARD MILES FOR REASON S 1.4 (B) AND (D). 1.(C) SUMMARY: NEA/IR Office Director Todd Schwartz met with First Deputy Foreign Minister Wepa Hajiyev and discussed a number of Iran issues relevant to Turkmenistan, including Turkmen-Iranian relations, how Turkmenistan views Iran's role in the region, trade and cultural relations, Iran's nuclear aspirations, dispute resolution and the status of Iran's Turkmen minority. Friendly atmospherics prevailed throughout, and the Turkmen appeared as interested in our views as we in theirs. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) NEA/IR Office Director Todd Schwartz, accompanied by Embassy Ashgabat's Iran Watcher, met with First Deputy Foreign Minister Wepa Hajiyev on November 17 during the Ashgabat stop of his visit to Iran Watch posts. Also in attendance were Ambassador Murad Nazarov, Head of the Near East and Central Asia Bureau (and former Ambassador to Iran), and Hydyr Halnepesov, Counselor for the North and South American Bureaus. In his introductory remarks, DFM Hajiyev underscored Turkmenistan's increasingly active role in foreign relations since 2007, particularly vis-a-vis neighboring countries. He noted the priority President Berdimuhamedov has given to establishing good bilateral relations with neighboring countries, as evidenced by the recent exchange of several high-level visitors. BORDER OF FRIENDSHIP ¶3. (C) Hajiyev said that Turkmenistan shares a 1140-km border with its southern neighbor, Iran. Presidential visits between Turkmenistan and Iran have focused on energy, transportation and humanitarian cooperation. He described the four border crossing points between the two countries as "very active." He said that "from the beginning," including when the late President Niyazov met with former Iranian president Rafsanjani, the two sides have adhered to the principles of non-interference in each country's internal affairs; the development of fair economic relations; a 'humanitarian' relationship; and cooperation on the establishment of peace in the region. From the beginning, he said, the border was called the "border of friendship." He said he is confident that all border issues between Iran and Turkmenistan will be settled peacefully, and that negotiations aimed at resolving a number of issues (consular, customs and border) are taking place at the level of the two countries' bilateral commission, which meets yearly in either Ashgabat or Teheran. He called this a "very important mechanism" for dispute resolution. TRADE RELATIONS ¶4. (C) Hajyiev said that trade relations, particularly "energy cooperation" (i.e. gas sales),are expanding between Iran and Turkmenistan, which last year did USD 1.6 billion in trade, with the balance in Turkmenistan's favor. The main trade commodities were natural and liquified gas (LPG). He said that both sides want to develop the relationship further in the agricultural and construction sectors. Iranians have established several energy and transport companies in Turkmenistan, and the two sides carry out border trade activities. The rules governing these activities are settled on by an Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economy. Turkmenistan is not a member of the World Trade Organization. CULTURAL TIES ¶5. (C) Regarding cultural and humanitarian cooperation, Hajiyev referred to the deep historical and cultural roots shared by Iran and Turkmenistan, noting the presence of a Turkmen minority in Iran residing close to the border, members of which visit Turkmenistan on occasion to visit relatives and to see their "home country". He said that the Organization of World Turkmen holds an annual conference, as ASHGABAT 00001531 002 OF 003 does the Association of Iranian Turkmen. Iran celebrates the birthday of the Turkmen poet Magtumguli, and that Iranians visit Turkmenistan to attend commemorations at the poet's birthplace. In addition, Turkmenistan joins the Iranian Embassy's annual commemoration of the 1979 revolution in Iran. The Cultural Center in Ashgabat, attached to the Iranian Embassy, holds various cultural events, with its main activity being Persian language courses offered to the public. ¶6. (C) DFM Hajiyev noted that Iran's "geopolitical position" significantly influences and shapes events throughout the region. He reiterated that because both sides adhere to the principles set forth when their relations were established, Turkmenistan and Iran continue to maintain positive and cordial relations. Turkmenistan believes it is important, he said, that this extends to all of Central Asia and the Near East. He added that, "our Iranian colleagues understand this." He reiterated that Turkmenistan's neutral status has lead to progress in the region. Turkmenistan, he said, plans to expand its relationship with Iran even further. ¶7. (C) NEA/IR Director Schwartz told Hajiyev that the aim of his discussions in Turkmenistan and other posts in the region was to learn from colleagues and assess Iran's role and bilateral relations in Central Asia and beyond. He said that the international community believes that Iran presents a serious threat. At the same time, he said, if its behavior moderates, Iran could also present an opportunity for friendship, cooperation, and economic development. He expressed particular interest in learning about both the challenges and opportunities Turkmenistan sees in Iran. YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS ¶8. (C) DFM Hajiyev told NEA/IR Director Schwartz that his questions had "answered our questions." Regarding trade relations, Hajiyev said that while the two countries do not have a free trade zone, a form of "free economic zone" exists at the Bajgyran border crossing (close to Ashgabat),where small shops offering a variety of goods on both sides are operated by Turkmen and Iranian merchants. With larger quantities, he said, trucks from both sides transport the goods for sale across the border to shops and businesses for sale. Business disputes are referred to the local courts for resolution. Failing that, he said, they are referred to an established "intergovernmental committee." NUCLEAR QUESTION ¶9. (C) Hajiyev said that "we are all familiar" with the concerns about Iran's potential use of a civilian energy program for military purposes, and that Turkmenistan, as a member of the UN, complies with all UNSC resolutions on Iran. Nevertheless, Turkmenistan continues to cooperate with Iran in many areas. Turkmenistan is very active as a party to the Non-proliferation Treaty, and was one of the first countries to sign on to international non-proliferation initiatives. He reiterated that "every country has the right to develop sources of energy for peaceful purposes." In response to a direct question, Hajiyev said that as far as he was aware, Turkmenistan has never brought up the nuclear issue in its discussions with Iran. KEEP THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ¶10. (C) Hadjiev said, "It is on our shoulders as diplomats to resolve disputes so that they do not negatively affect the countries of the region," which is one of the reasons that Turkmenistan hosts the UN Center for Preventive Diplomacy (UNCPD) in Ashgabat. He noted that all of the Central Asia states had issues involving Iran and/or Afghanistan, including a regional water rights dispute that is close to being favorably resolved. Hajiyev reiterated his view that is "imperative" that negotiations continue in order to resolve the nuclear dispute with Iran, even if the situation ASHGABAT 00001531 003 OF 003 sometimes appears "incapable of resolution." In this context, he underscored the importance of "understanding the Iranian character." At present, other than those limited to consular matters, customs and border security, which do not affect their broader relationship, Turkmenistan has no problems with Iran. He pointed to Turkmenistan's hosting negotiations in Ashgabat between the Afghan Northern Alliance and the Taliban in the 1990s in an effort to end that conflict as an example of its own commitment to peaceful dispute resolution. ¶11. (C) Turkmen, he said, were "excited" to hear President Ahmedinejad's message to President-elect Obama. He said that there would no doubt be a "tough dialogue" between the U.S. and Iran, but a dialogue nonetheless. Turkmenistan's efforts have always been to maintain peace in the region, something he said was the responsibility of all countries bordering Iran. ¶12. (C) NEA/IR Director Schwartz responded that it was in the interest of Turkmenistan and the region that Iran return to the community of nations, in which case the positive relationship existing between Turkmenistan and Iran would only grow to the benefit of both countries. He noted that assistance in applying for WTO membership was part of the incentives package being offered to Iran by the P5 1 countries. Dialogue with Iran ought not to be only about where we disagree, but also about areas where we agree. ¶13. (C) Hajiyev expressed the hope that the United States will engage in talks with the Iranians on a number of issues, and said that everyone in the international community should work to prevents conflicts. He noted the numerous areas of active, high-level cooperation that Turkmenistan has with the United States, including border security. He said the government is very grateful for the reconstruction of several border crossing stations by the United States. "IT'S NOT CATASTROPHIC" ¶14. (C) In response to a question about the situation of the ethnic Turkmen in Iran, DFM Hajiyev said that Iran's treatment of all ethnic groups is carried out in accordance with its own policy on ethnic minorities. The Iranian Azeris, he said, are "too large" a group to be even considered a minority. Iran, he said, implements development programs (economic, social, etc.) in the Turkmen-inhabited areas, which are located along the border. Turkmen are represented in the Iranian parliament, he said, and their schools offer classes in the Turkmen language. It is they, he said, who are best positioned to evaluate their own situation. In general, he said, their situation is "not catastrophic." Unlike the Iranian Kurds or Balouchis, he said, Iranian Turkmen have not taken part in uprisings, further evidence of the "peaceful nature" of the Turkmen character. ¶15. (C) BIO NOTE: DFM Hajyiev, who is 35 years old, holds a degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Turkmen State University. He is fluent in Arabic and Persian, in addition to Russian and Turkmen. Before jointing the MFA in 2007, he was with the Counter-intelligence unit of the Ministry of National Security. He was appointed First DFM in June of ¶2007. He enjoys playing soccer. ¶16. (C) COMMENT: We were pleasantly surprised at Hajiyev's willingness to respond to our questions. That said, their often-stated status of neutrality was evident in their policy toward Iran. The atmospherics for the meeting were warm and friendly, and the Turkmen seemed as interested in our views as we were in theirs. END COMMENT. ¶17. (U) Office Director Schwartz cleared this message. MILES