Iran Prioritizes Strengthening Ties with Muslim, Neighboring States: President
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi saif the expansion of political and economic ties with Muslim and neighboring states is the country’s priority.
Raisi made the remarks during a meeting with his Uzbek counterpart, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in Tashkent on Thursday, which is hosting the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit.
Enhancing political and economic interactions with Islamic, neighboring, and aligned countries is one of the Islamic Republic's top foreign policy priorities, he said.
He also emphasized the capacity of regional organizations to facilitate and strengthen ties between neighbors.
Raisi expressed satisfaction with the implementation of Iran-Uzbekistan agreements, particularly those in information technology, trade and transportation, as well as monetary and banking issues, and called for greater cooperation in these areas.
Mirziyoyev, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the meeting and emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation between Tehran and Tashkent.
He also expressed gratitude to Tehran for establishing the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Tashkent, saying the project familiarizes Uzbek economic activists with the Islamic Republic's achievements, capabilities, and experience.
In June, the Uzbek president led a high-level political and economic delegation on an official visit to Iran.
During the visit, the two countries signed ten agreements for cooperation in a variety of areas, including energy, transportation, technology, agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, and insurance.
Raisi stated at the time that Iran and Uzbekistan were looking to push the boundaries, aiming for $3 billion in annual trade volume.
