Ankara: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov engaged in discussions aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation, as confirmed by the Iranian presidency on Monday. The meeting took place in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, during the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

According to Anadolu Agency, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's commitment to enhancing relations between the two nations, highlighting the potential for collaboration in various sectors such as economic, trade, energy, transportation, logistics, agriculture, defense, tourism, and culture. He advocated for the complete implementation of Iran's free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, suggesting that overcoming existing barriers could significantly boost economic and commercial interactions between Iran and Kyrgyzstan.

Furthermore, Pezeshkian underscored the importance of regional security, which he believes hinges on cooperation among regional countries and the minimization of foreign interference. In response, Japarov expressed a willingness to further expand and deepen ties with Iran, indicating a mutual interest in strengthening their partnership.