At a meeting with Sodiq Safoyev, first deputy chairman of the Uzbekistan Senate, the two sides evaluated the views of the two countries.

“We always follow your points of view, and this not only relates to the rich Iranian culture, but also shows Iran’s position in the international arena, and we understand it,” said Safoyev.

“We are well aware that international problems will not be resolved without the help of Iran,” he said. For Uzbekistan, Iran is not only a powerful regional government but also a land that has provided our country with access to free waters, he stressed.

The first deputy chairman of the Uzbek Senate added: “I, as an Uzbek official, am aware of Iran’s valuable position in providing Uzbekistan with access to the world market, and I attach great importance to the cooperation of the two countries; so we need to examine some of the problems and find solutions to them. Therefore, the cooperation of our strategic centres with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations is important.”

Safoyev emphasized that cooperation with neighbours, in particular, the Islamic Republic of Iran, is at the priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.

Dr Kharrazi also emphasized on the parliamentary cooperation of the two countries and the need to strengthen it, saying that parliaments are representatives of the nations and naturally play an important role in the governments.

Acknowledging Dr Kharrazi’s outlook, Safoyev said that parliamentary cooperation between the two countries will begin soon.

Dr Kharrazi also spoke about cooperation in the fields of science and technology as well as academia, which was warmly welcomed by the first deputy chairman of the Uzbek Senate. He said Uzbekistan is ready to start such activities between the two countries.

Expansion of Iran-Uzbek Parliamentary Cooperation Underlined

Dr Kharrazi also met with the Vice Speaker of the Uzbek Parliament, Suhrob Holmuradov at the Parliament building.

During this meeting, which was attended by a number of parliamentary commission chairmen, the activities of the parliament and parliamentary committees with parliaments of other countries were outlined by Holmuradov. He noted that changes have taken place in the parliamentary areas following new developments and reforms in Uzbekistan.

Holmuradov and Dr Kharrazi discussed the issues related to parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, and it was agreed to prepare the ground for this kind of cooperation; while also discussing cultural and tourism exchanges and accelerating the launch of infrastructures.