Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov have met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Shanghai Plus summits in Kyrgyzstan to discuss ways to expand bilateral political, economic and trade cooperation. During the meeting, President Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of activating existing capacities in trade, energy, transport, logistics, agriculture, defense, tourism, and culture to deepen relations between the two countries.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Pezeshkian stressed the full implementation of Iran's free-trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union and the removal of existing barriers as essential steps to significantly increase bilateral trade. He noted that while trade between Iran and Kyrgyzstan has grown by more than 30 percent in recent years, it still falls short of its potential.
President Pezeshkian also supported Kyrgyzstan's proposal to establish a joint oil refinery, suggesting that Iran could supply the crude oil while both nations share the refined products. This proposal aims to expand economic and energy cooperation between the two countries.
Pezeshkian highlighted transport and logistics as key areas for joint cooperation, proposing the establishment of a Kyrgyz logistics center at Bandar Abbas to facilitate trade and transit. This would enhance Kyrgyzstan's access to Iran's transportation infrastructure and international waters.
In agriculture, Pezeshkian emphasized the potential for cooperation, referencing recent agreements made during Iran's agriculture minister's visit to Bishkek. He called for swift implementation through follow-up by officials from both countries.
The Iranian president also addressed the capabilities of Iranian technical and engineering companies, urging the removal of banking obstacles affecting Iranian companies in Kyrgyzstan and requesting the Kyrgyz government to facilitate their economic activities.
On defense, Pezeshkian reiterated that military cooperation is part of Iran's policy to strengthen regional security and is not directed against any country. He called for stronger cooperation in international and regional organizations, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
In tourism, Pezeshkian noted that Iran had abolished entry visas for Kyrgyz citizens over the past three years and called for reciprocal action. He indicated that mutual visa waivers could increase travel and facilitate direct flights between the two countries.
President Japarov welcomed Pezeshkian's approach and expressed sympathy with Iran over recent conflicts. He expressed a willingness to examine Iran's proposal for mutual visa-free tourism and highlighted a bilateral cooperation memorandum signed in 2025 as a basis for strengthening ties. Japarov invited Iranian oil exploration companies to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan and showed readiness to expand bilateral sports cooperation.
The meeting also covered agricultural, cultural, and educational cooperation, as well as Iran's participation with 120 athletes in the sixth World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.