Isfahan: In a recent meeting with Mehdi Jamalinejad, the Provincial Governor of Isfahan, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Iran, Fariddin Nasriyev, underscored the importance of expanding trade, economic, and particularly tourism relations between Iran and Uzbekistan. The discussions were part of efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation, with Nasriyev extending an official invitation for Jamalinejad to lead a high-level delegation to the renowned historic cities of Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Ambassador Nasriyev shared his personal ties to Isfahan, revealing that he was born and educated in Samarkand and had visited Isfahan with his family. This personal connection served as a testament to the longstanding cultural ties between the two regions. The ambassador highlighted the successful past collaboration, referencing a recent trip of a 100-member delegation from Razavi Khorasan Province to Uzbekistan, followed by a reciprocal visit from Uzbekistan.

Ambassador Nasriyev proposed a symbolic gesture of naming a street in Isfahan "Samarkand Street" to honor the deep-rooted cultural connections between the nations. With Uzbekistan's tourism sector attracting 12 million visitors last year and aiming for 15 million this year, he emphasized the potential for tourism cooperation. Plans to increase weekly flights between Tehran and Tashkent were announced, with the ambassador stressing the importance of joint business and tourism delegations to amplify exchanges substantially.

Nasriyev concluded the meeting by expressing hope that this initiative would mark the beginning of a new chapter of sisterhood, celebrating the rich cultures and economies shared by the two regions.