Israel and Turkmenistan strengthen ties near Iran's border.

Israel has opened a permanent embassy in Turkmenistan, its closest diplomatic presence to Iran, as it seeks to strengthen ties to its arch-foe's neighbours. Although the countries established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, there had only been a temporary Israeli mission in Ashgabat and predominantly Muslim Turkmenistan still has no embassy in Israel. The gas-rich desert nation of six million has an official neutrality policy, avoiding membership in any political or military blocs.