Following the Saturday meeting between Iran and Kyrgyzstan high-ranking delegations in Tehran and the signing of 8 memorandums between the two countries, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambayev attended a press conference to discuss the outcomes of their negotiations.
Rouhani highlighted Iran’s special position in the wake of the current regional situation and the nuclear agreement that would pave the way for more economic and trade cooperation with other countries, saying “presently, many good opportunities exist for the development of Iran and Kyrgyzstan trade relations that must be fully exploited.”
The Iranian president added that Tehran is ready to expand cooperation with Bishkek in technical services, science, modern technology, arts, medicine and pharmaceuticals. He also stressed the need for facilitating the issuance of visas and the opening of air passage between the two countries.
Rouhani further noted Kyrgyzstan’s support for the permanent membership of the Islamic Republic to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) saying “all obstacles hindering Iran’s permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have been removed. Given the security situation we are currently witnessing in the region, this decision will be to the benefit of both Iran and Kyrgyzstan.”
“Iran and Kyrgyzstan have predicted a ten-year plan for the development of relations that encompasses all required factors for the progress of the two countries,” said Rouhani.
Rouhani further said Tehran and Bishkek have “very good” cooperation which should be further improved given the fact that terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, Taliban and ISIL are carrying out destructive activities and committing crimes in the region.
Almazbek Atambayev, for his part, extended his congratulations over the successful conclusion of Iran and the 5+1 nuclear negotiations, saying such an achievement would have not been possible without Iran’s political will.
He also stressed the two countries’ decision to boost bilateral cooperation, saying “we completely support Iran’s permanent membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and believe this will help improve the SCO’s economic and political capacities.”
Kyrgyzstan's President Almazbek Atambayev as well as his accompanying high ranking delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday for an official three-day visit with the aim to improve bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic.