Top Iranian official praises Kyrgyzstan ties
By Aynur Jafarova
First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has praised Iran's relations with Kyrgyzstan, saying his country was ready to boost trade with the Central Asian state, Kyrgyz media reported.
"Iran appreciates the friendly relations with Kyrgyzstan and is ready to increase the goods turnover with it," the senior Iranian official said in a meeting with Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Jantoro Satybaldiev. "We are interested in investing in Kyrgyz economy," Rahimi said.
The Kyrgyz PM, for his part, thanked Iran for its humanitarian assistance, particularly for the $1 million grant provided for the construction of a sports complex in Osh, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan.
"From the first days since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Iran-Kyrgyz relations have been developing based on mutual understanding and goodwill," Satybaldiev noted.
He also offered Iran to consider some investment projects.
Discussions at the meeting covered achieving progress in bilateral relations through the work of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and cultural issues. The sides reached agreement on developing relations in the areas of trade, joint scientific research, higher education and sports.
Vice-President Rahimi underlined that Iran is ready to closely participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
According to reports, an Iranian delegation headed by Rahimi arrived in Bishkek to contribute to the work of the council of SCO heads of state as an observer, Trend news agency reported on Tuesday.