TEHRAN – Iran and Uzbekistan have pledged to significantly increase bilateral cooperation under Iran’s 14th regime, with senior officials on both sides pledging to deepen ties across the political, economic, cultural and logistics sectors.
At a high-level meeting with Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Alipov in Tehran on Sunday, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Arts, said the strong political will from the presidents of both countries led to a “notable expansion” of relations.
“The 14th administration is committed to expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan in all areas,” AREF said, adding that the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two countries provide a strong foundation for the partnership.
“Uzbekistan is an Iranian brother state and we believe that there is a wide range of cooperation in energy, tourism, science, trade and private sector engagement,” he said.
The 16th meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee of Iran and Uzbekistan, held alongside the official visit of Uzbekistan Prime Minister Alipov, marks a milestone in accelerating the collaboration between joint projects and transport. The AREF highlights Iran’s role as the shortest and most efficient route for Central Asian countries to access open water through the Persian Gulf, noting that the logistics infrastructure at Iranian ports is fully operational and ready to support Uzbekistan’s trade.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening transport and transport corridors, increasing professional level exchanges and unlocking new opportunities for private sector stakeholders on both sides.
“By understanding each other’s economic capabilities, Iran and Uzbekistan can act as complementary partners in promoting regional economic integration,” AREF said.
Regions highlighted in future collaborations include technology and engineering services, agricultural exports, mining, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and past sites restoration.
Uzbekistan: Iran is a trusted regional partner
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Alipov described Iran as a “best friend and trustworthy partner” in the region. He believed in high levels of political dialogue as he fostered steady growth in trade and economic cooperation.
“The joint plan between the Iranian president and the Uzbekistan president has laid out a clear roadmap to expand relations across the board,” Alipov pointed out.
Currently, trade between the two countries is $500 million, but both sides emphasize the need for a long-term strategy to ensure sustainable, future-looking growth. Alipov encouraged greater involvement from private companies to fully utilize the available opportunities.
Earlier that day, AREF hosted Alipov at Tehran’s historic Sadabad cultural and historic complex. There, two leaders reviewed the Honorary Guard and introduced the accompanying delegations before they began their official talk.
Alipov’s visit will also include participation in the Joint Business Forum and signing multiple cooperation agreements. The key events during the trip are documents from the 16th Joint Committee by the Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade of Iran, as well as the official signatures by the Minister of Trade and Investment of Sayz Mohammad Atabak and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Trade and Investment.
The side job of the committee meeting will see the Uzbekistan Trade Centre to open in Tehran, signaling a new chapter in commercial relations.
On Saturday night, Atabak and his Uzbek counterpart, Khdratov, confirmed the terms of several bilateral agreements scheduled for implementation.