Dr Kharrazi, on a visit to Uzbekistan, met with the Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov. While outlining the new policies of the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Uzbek foreign minister stated: “Based on these policies, Uzbekistan is going through the reform era. In this transition period, economic, social and political developments, and addressing the demands of the people, especially the younger generation, have been considered.”

Referring to the relations between the two countries, Kamilov noted: “If we look at the agenda of the relations, we will see that these relations have progressed compared to the past. Cooperation in the political, commercial, economic and tourism fields is good and we need to provide more facilities for better results.”

Emphasizing on cooperation in the infrastructure field, he referred to the construction of a rail link between Uzbekistan borders and Iran through Afghanistan and said with the completion of this project, more economic cooperation would take place between the two countries and Uzbekistan’s access to the high seas through the south of Iran will be facilitated.”

Kamilov also said that in order to check regional threats and risks, “we need to draw up a strategic agenda and, therefore, Uzbekistan is ready to cooperate with Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations in this respect.”

Dr Kharrazi welcomed the reforms made by the President of Uzbekistan and said: “We can never be separate from our neighbours and we must live with them and strive to cement stability in the region.”

Dr Kharrazi voiced satisfaction over the development of relations between the two sides because the two countries have a rich cultural and civilizational heritage and Uzbekistan makes an important contribution to this heritage. When we browse various Uzbek cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khwarizm, we see that each of them has been the origin of great scholars. Therefore, Iran and Uzbekistan should recognize their common cultural identity and build on their new civilization. The Uzbek President’s action in establishing the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the Center of Imam Bukhari in Bukhara shows Uzbekistan’s policy of reviving such a civilization.”

Kharrazi also mentioned the creation of road-rail infrastructures to link the two countries and noted that the establishment of an airline connecting all the capitals of the region is very necessary.

The two sides also discussed issues on security and terrorism and the dangers ISIS deployment in Afghanistan could pose on Central Asia, which in turn indicates the need for Central Asian countries to exchange information and prevent an outbreak of hostile incidents.