Rouhani arrives in Kyrgyzstan as part of his three-leg tour
By Nigar Abbasova
High-ranking officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kyrgyzstan discussed bilateral ties and inked a number of cooperation documents as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Bishkek as a final part of his regional tour.
The Iranian president and his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev held talks on bilateral, regional and international issues at the Kyrgyz presidential palace. The talks focused on Iranian investments in the Kyrgyz economy, gradual introduction of visa-free travel between the two countries, and joint efforts to combat terrorism.
The countries inked five deals to develop the relations in different fields, including ICT, healthcare, culture and arts, social affairs, and combating the drug trafficking. Moreover, the countries also signed the Program of long-term cooperation between the countries for 2016-2026.
Following the talks, Atambayev said that the two countries should create joint ventures in various economic sectors.
“We have also expressed joint interest in the construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran railroad. It will be one of the main issues during my upcoming visits to Uzbekistan and China,” he mentioned.
Rouhani, in turn, said that he supports the idea.
Atambayev further said that his country backs Iran’s joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), whose member states are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, while Iran has observer status.
“Kyrgyzstan’s view of Iran’s intention to join the SCO as a full member is positive and the country welcomes Iran’s will. We believe, regarding Iran’s potential, that the country’s membership can improve the organization’s stance in the world,” he said.
Iran’s full membership is expected to be put on agenda of the next SCO conference. Iran applied for full SCO membership in March 2008, but membership was denied due to UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. After the UN sanctions were lifted in January this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China’s support for Iran’s full membership in the organization.
Moreover, the two heads of states also promised to resolve the issue of introducing flights between the two countries. The Iranian president further pointed to the two countries’ plan to revoke the visa regime in three phases for business purposes, tourism and other ordinary trips, respectively.
Furthermore, the Iranian president said that they are also interested in the construction of hydropower plants in Kyrgyzstan, as well as cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals and advanced technologies.
He also emphasized the importance of the creation of a free trade zone between Iran and Kyrgyzstan which is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, mentioning that Iran is also aimed at rapprochement with the EAEU and free trade with it.
The Iranian side hopes this question could be on agenda of the EAEU summit due on December 26.
Rouhani said that Kyrgyzstan is one of the countries that enjoy very friendly relations with Iran ever since Kyrgyzstan acquired its sovereignty.
“Iran was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Kyrgyzstan and we are interested in strengthening of our relations,” he said.
Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Iran amounted to $11 million in January–September 2016.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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