The President said, "The current level of economic relations between Tehran and Tashkent is not the same as the level of political relations between the two countries, and the Islamic Republic is interested in developing economic relations with Uzbekistan in the framework of deepening relations with neighbours."
During a visit to Tajikistan on Thursday afternoon, President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi congratulated Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the 30th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, saying, "The activation of the Joint Commission of Cooperation and the cooperation of private sectors can play an effective role in developing economic relations and interactions between the two countries".
Congratulating the presidency of Uzbekistan in the forthcoming term of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Ayatollah Raisi said to his Uzbek counterpart, "I believe that your positive and constructive approach can bring many blessings and fruits to the region and the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation".
The President stressed that sanctions have not been -and are not- an obstacle to Iran's progress, saying, "However, we seek to lift oppressive sanctions against the Islamic Republic".
Dr Raisi also stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the formation of a comprehensive government with the participation of all groups in Afghanistan, which will lead to the establishment of peace and stability in the country".
The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, also expressed his happiness over the meeting with the President of Iran, referring to the experiences and background of Ayatollah Raisi during his responsibility in the judiciary and the effective fight against economic corruption, and said, "We will be grateful to use your experience in this field".
The President of Uzbekistan stated that the two countries have a good understanding in the field of political relations, noting, "The common civilisational and historical background of the two countries can play an important role in facilitating the development of economic and cultural relations between the two countries".
He said, "Uzbekistan is looking for an operational roadmap to expand economic relations with Iran, especially in the field of transportation, and to make the north-south corridor more active with the focus on the port of Chabahar".