Iran-Russia strategic relations growing: VP
Iran to construct refinery, power station in Kyrgyzstan
Level of Iran-Russia strategic relations is growing well, said Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber in his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Bishkek on Wednesday.
Mokhber arrived in Bishkek to attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of Government, fvpresident.ir reported.
Referring to setting of records in bilateral commercial exchange last year, Mokhber emphasized the need to develop economic relations between the two countries in all sectors, calling for removing the obstacles ahead, along with speeding up the process for implementing the previous agreements.
He also expressed appreciation for Russia’s support for Iran's full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and the Eurasian Union's free trade agreement with Iran.
Russia wants to develop tourism relations between the two countries and, in this regard, the plan to issue tourist visas has been implemented, the PM said.
In their negotiations, Iranian and Russian delegations decided to carry out technical and economic studies regarding gas transit between Russia and Iran with the cooperation of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Developing Tehran-Bishkek economic ties
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Iran and Kyrgyzstan agreed to develop economic cooperation, including starting a rail corridor, build a refinery and a power plant in the Central Asian country, the trade of bitumen and grain as well as establishing business centers.
In a meeting with Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov, Mokhber referred to the high potential for boosting bilateral trade and highlighted the necessity to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
He expressed Iran’s interest and full readiness to strengthen friendly relations with Kyrgyzstan in the spirit of friendship and partnership.
In the meeting, Japarov congratulated Iran on becoming a full member of the SCO.
“I am confident Iran will make its contribution to the strengthening of SCO capacity, and friendship and cooperation between SCO member states,” the Kyrgyz official said.
He also added that the landmark visit of Mokhber to Kyrgyzstan will create a strong foundation for further development of bilateral ties.
The cabinet chairman hailed the signing of a memorandum on the establishment of the Kyrgyz-Iranian Investment Office in Bishkek, on the sidelines of the meeting of the intergovernmental commission held on October 20 in Bishkek.
As a landlocked country, Kyrgyzstan is interested in the use of Iran’s sea ports, the official said.
Particular attention was paid to cooperation in agriculture and industry, and export of eco products from Kyrgyzstan to Iran.
“Kyrgyzstan has a big potential of export of beans to Iran. Bean fields occupy more than 55,000 hectares; 78,276 tons of beans were harvested in 2022,” the official stated.
Kyrgyzstan can also export honey to Iran, he added.
Before leaving Tehran for the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, Mokhber said the SCO member states have ample capacities for economic cooperation, according to a statement published on the website of Mokhber's office.
The SCO meeting kicked off on Tuesday and will continue until Friday.
He said the SCO is a successful model of strategic regional cooperation, stressing Iran's numerous capacities in industry, agriculture, modern technologies and energy sectors.
Mokhber expressed hope that Iran would be able to reach bilateral agreements on cooperation and partnership with the SCO member states during his two-day meeting.
Talks over gas hub
Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji, who accompanies the first vice president on the trip, said on Wednesday that his ministry's agenda during the visit will be preparing the ground for supplying petrochemicals and other products to the SCO members, according to Shana.
He stressed that among other issues, he would discuss exporting Iran's technical and engineering services, making investments in the oil and gas sector and constructing energy transfer pipelines, especially for gas transit from Iran to Central Asian states.
Trade with SCO
The value of trade between Iran and 11 SCO members reached $21.73 billion in the first six months of the current Iranian year, from March 21 to September 22, indicating a 10 percent year-on-year growth, said spokesman of the Trade Promotion Commission of Iran’s House of Industry, Mine and Trade Rouhollah Latifi on Wednesday, according to IRNA.
The official added that 36.98 million tons of goods worth $21.73 billion were exchanged between Iran and member countries of the SCO during the six months to September 22.
Iran’s full SCO membership was approved at the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO, held via a video conference in July.