TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei told Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev here Sunday that common grounds between Iran and the Central Asian nation should be used to expand relations in different sectors.
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on unparalleled historical, cultural and scientific affinity that exists between the two countries and expressed his satisfaction at the revival of relations after a long break.
“Unfortunately, for many years the relations between Iran and Uzbekistan were very limited. We hope that this trip and the talks held in Tehran will be the beginning of a better future with regards to the relations between the two countries,” the Leader said.
The Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei said, has the ability to easily connect Uzbekistan to open waters through Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Furthermore, the areas of cooperation between the two countries are beyond trade and transportation, and more cooperation can be done with various initiatives in the field of science and technology and in other sectors, he added.
The Leader said there are some who oppose the idea of Iran and Uzbekistan expanding relations, but decisions should be made despite these objections and based on the interests of the two countries and their cooperation should be expanded as much as possible.
During the meeting, also attended by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the Uzbek president described his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei as historic.
“We too were upset about the interruption that had occurred in relations between the two countries as well as the reduction in cooperation. We hope that with the talks that were held in Tehran, we will take great steps and cooperation will reach their proper and desired level in the fields of trade, transportation, science and technology and tourism,” he said.
The Uzbekistan’s president also lauded the Iranian nation for its resistance in the face of sanctions.
“The achievements of the Iranian
nation, especially in the field of science and technology some parts of which I saw in an exhibition, demonstrate that under the wise guidance of its Leader, a united nation can achieve great goals despite all pressures,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Mirziyoyev and President Raisi oversaw the signing of 10 documents for cooperation in a host of fields.
According to the documents, Iran and Uzbekistan will enhance cooperation in trade, transportation and transit, pharmacology, standards and insurance, the establishment of joint free zones, technology and innovation, as well as agriculture.
Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Mirziyoyev arrived in Tehran for the first official visit by an Uzbek president in 20 years.
President Raisi said no obstacle can hinder the expansion of the Islamic Republic’s relations with the neighbors.
Addressing a meeting of high-ranking delegations of the two countries, Raisi said the enhancement of Tehran-Tashkent relations would be beneficial to both nations.
The president called for a roadmap for developing comprehensive cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan and implementing bilateral agreements.
Raisi said Iran’s active and successful participation in the international industrial exhibition in Tashkent in April demonstrated Tehran’s resolve to improve mutual trade and commercial relations.
Pointing to historical and civilizational ties between Iran and Uzbekistan, he said the two countries enjoy capacities for improvement of cooperation.
He said the visit by his Uzbek counterpart to Tehran after 20 years is a major step towards deepening cooperation. The two countries, Raisi said, seek to double trade exchanges at the first phase and then increase them to three billion dollars.
The Iranian president urged both countries to follow up on bilateral agreements in the fields of economy and trade, transportation and transit, science and technology, agriculture, medical and pharmaceutical equipment in order to develop relations and exchange capacities.
Raisi also expressed Iran’s readiness to transfer its experience in various scientific and economic fields to Uzbekistan.