Putin arrives in Ashgabat for int'l forum, meeting with his Iranian counterpart

ASHGABAT. Oct 11 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Ashgabat on a working visit, during which he will attend an international forum and meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

On Friday, the Turkmen capital is hosting the "Interrelation of Times and Civilizations-Basis of Peace and Development" international forum dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Fragi. The leaders of Turkmenistan's neighboring states, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and some other countries have been invited to the event.

During the visit, Putin is expected to deliver a speech at the forum's plenary session and to hold several one-on-one meetings, including a meeting with the Iranian president.

Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told journalists earlier that Putin and Pezeshkian would discuss both bilateral issues and the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.