The Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Asad Majeed Khan, recently outlined a proposal for a Shared Border Zone between Turkmenistan and Iran. The plan, modeled after the successful Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Joint Border Zone, aims to boost trade, enhance logistics, and foster economic growth in the region.
A Bold Proposal for Regional Growth
Turkmenistan has played an active role in ECO, focusing on regional connectivity, sustainable energy, and cross-border trade mechanisms like Shared Border Zones. Khan highlighted ECO’s commitment to making these proposals a reality through its institutional platforms, including working groups, technical committees, and ministerial meetings. The goal is to improve trade relations and strengthen economic ties between countries.
The First Bilateral Meeting and Progress
The first meeting of the Turkmenistan-Iran Shared Border Zone (SBZ) Working Subgroup was held on March 5, 2025, at the ECO Secretariat in Tehran. This meeting marked an important step in planning the border zone. Both nations discussed economic challenges and potential benefits.
The meeting’s outcome will be a feasibility study that assesses the economic, legal, and infrastructural viability of the zone. The study will also provide a legal framework, identify potential locations, and outline investments and implementation strategies.
Key Focus Areas for Regional Cooperation
ECO has focused on energy, transport, and digitalization as key areas of regional cooperation. These sectors offer vast potential for transforming the region’s economy. Energy projects, especially those involving renewable sources, are crucial for sustainable development. Improving transport infrastructure will also boost trade, while digitalization will open new avenues for economic growth in e-commerce and online services.
Looking to the Future
The proposed Shared Border Zone could serve as a model for future cross-border projects. It aims to drive economic growth, improve trade flows, and foster investment. By strengthening partnerships, Turkmenistan and Iran can work together to build a more interconnected region.
