BISHKEK, APRIL 16 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Tbilisi, Ashgabat and Bishkek in a three day charm offensive designed to bolster support and trade across a pliant Central Asia and South Caucasus region.

In Ashgabat Mr Zarif met with President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, in Tbilisi he met PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili and President Giorgi Margvelashvili, and in Bishkek he met with Pres. Almazbek Atambayev.

Of all the meetings, perhaps talks with Mr Berdymukhamedov in Ashgabat were the most important. Turkmenistan and Iran had been developing trade intensively until Turkmen officials accused their Iranian counterparts of not paying a $1.8b gas bill. They have said that they will take the case to an international arbitration court unless it is resolved.

Although no mention of the disputed gas bill was made after the meeting in Ashgabat, media did quote Turkmen foreign minister Rasit Meredow as saying that Mr Zarif’s trip was a “big step in political and diplomaticrelations”.

Since some Western sanctions were lifted on Iran last year, the Iranian government has been working to promote its interests in its near abroad. Major inroads have been made in promoting relations in Central Asia/South Caucasus, such as easing visa rules and bilateral investment deals.

ENDS