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TASHKENT: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Muhammad Javad Zarif, who arrived in Tashkent on a visit.
The parties discussed the state and prospects of bilateral relations in the political, trade and economic, transport and communication, investment, cultural, humanitarian and other fields.
The ministers noted with satisfaction the fruitful results of the recently held VI round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries and stressed the need to continue a constructive dialogue at all levels.
At the talks, special attention was paid to the interaction of the two countries within the framework of international and regional organizations.
The issues of implementation of interregional transport and logistics projects aimed at increasing the volume of mutual trade and enhancing trade and economic ties were discussed.
An exchange of views on Afghan problems also took place. The Iranian side highly appreciated the practical work carried out by Uzbekistan to fully support direct inter-Afghan negotiations and the socio-economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the Iranian side confirmed its interest in participating in the High-Level International Conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Interconnectedness. Challenges and Opportunities”, which will be held this year in Tashkent.
Expressing hope for expanding cooperation between the two countries, Zarif noted that Iran could provide a transit route for Uzbekistan to access global markets and also open waters.
“The two countries of Iran and Uzbekistan enjoy high potentials in different areas,” he said, adding, “The age-old historical ties between the two countries can further expand the preliminaries for friendship between the two countries of Iran and Uzbekistan.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Central Asia to meet with officials from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.
Developing relations with Central Asia, a region of civilizational, historical and cultural commonalities, has always been one of Iran’s top priorities.
During the meeting, FM Zarif reviewed bilateral relations, especially economic issues, trade exchanges and cooperation in the fields of transportation, transit, and energy, political issues, cultural and tourism cooperation, as well as ways to expand cooperation.
Uzbek Foreign Minister also stressed the regional position and international influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran, underscoring the cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including cooperation in international forums, as well as parliamentary cooperation.
He also emphasized the bilateral cooperation in the fields of transportation and transit, the use of Iran’s port capacities along the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, the existing capacities for cooperation in the fields of economy, transportation, and logistics beyond the current situation.
Unilateral and oppressive US sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, cooperation between the two countries in the Afghan peace process, and cooperation in legal and international forums were other topics discussed by the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan.
 – A delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif){kind=link}