Below is the complete interview with the extraordinary Kyrgyz Republic ambassador to Iran’s Islamic Republic. He is Turdakun Siddikov together with a brand new company on the most recent developments between Tehran and Bishkek.
1. Ambassador, my first query is to ask about Iran’s place in Kyrgyzstan’s overseas coverage – what does Bishkek take into consideration Tehran?
Since the institution of diplomatic relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Iran on May 10, 1992, our nationwide cooperation has developed based mostly on mutual belief and respect. There is not any battle between our nation. Iran was one of many first nations on the earth to formally assist and acknowledge the independence and sovereignty of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyzstan and Iran have been capable of construct pleasant and reliable relationships and set up mutually useful cooperation in quite a lot of fields, political, financial, cultural and humanitarian.
Of course, Kyrgyzstan is focused on additional growth of pleasant relations with Iran and, initially, the events’ precedence areas as commerce, financial and funding cooperation, in addition to the implementation of present prospects for bilateral cooperation. It’s there. Cooperation inside the framework of regional and worldwide organizations.
2. What are the probabilities for the connection between the 2, given the latest assembly with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Away, Iran’s first VP. Do you suppose so? Which nations will deepen their cooperation and develop?
As I’ve already talked about, there’s a nice risk of bilateral cooperation between our nations, however sadly, it has not been absolutely realized. Political, commerce and economic system, growth and strengthening of transportation and transport, cultural and humanitarian cooperation are one of the vital vital challenges for each Kyrgyzstan and Iran. The latest assembly of the heads of our nation’s authorities solely confirms this reality. Certainly, this isn’t the primary assembly of Kyrgyzstan and Iranian authorities heads. In October 2023, inside the framework of the assembly of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, I met with the primary Vice President of Iran M. Mokba, chairman of Kyrgyz Minister A. Zhaparov, and the identical in 2024. On the month, the Cabinet Chairman of Kyrgyzstan Ministers met with Iran’s first Vice President AREF on the margin throughout a gathering of the Inter-Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Erevan (Armenia), they had been bilateral commerce and economic system. Issues of cooperation, common conferences of the Joint Government Commission, common conferences of the enlargement of transport corridors within the context of Iran’s use had been mentioned, and common conferences of the enlargement of transport corridors within the context of Iran’s use, elevated exports of agricultural merchandise to Iran and different native points.
3. Could interactions between the 2 nations inside the framework of regional and worldwide organizations such because the Eurasian Economic Union and Shanghai Cooperation Agency promote strengthening financial relations between the 2 nations?
We place nice emphasis on Iran’s financial involvement by interplay with varied regional organizations. For instance, with the assist of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a free commerce settlement between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Islamic Republic of Iran was signed in St. Petersburg on December 25, 2023. The Kyrgyz Republic was additionally one of many first to assist the initiative to acknowledge Iran’s observer standing within the EAEU. As is understood, the related paperwork had been signed in St. Petersburg on December twenty sixth final 12 months.
Therefore, a tax-free commerce regime and favorable circumstances are ensured for inputting each the Iranian market and vice versa.
EAEU interactions present alternatives for Iran’s cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic and EAEU nations, together with eliminating technical limitations, making use of sanitation and plant testing measures, and customs cooperation.
Regarding cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and Iran inside the framework of the SCO, we additionally notice that our nation was the primary to assist Iran’s membership on this group. Iran’s largest membership in SCO on the earth, with its member states accounting for greater than 34 million sq. kilometers. In different phrases, 60% of Eurasian territory, with a inhabitants of over 3 billion, will strengthen and develop politics, commerce and financial, scientific and cultural cooperation, and cooperation in training, transportation, communication, and extra. The significance of nationwide interactions concerning regional safety and combating points needs to be famous in opposition to terrorism.
4. Relations between the 2 nations are restricted to a number of financial points, and either side appear to know one another very nicely. What is Kyrgyzstan’s efficiency on this regard? Do you suppose Bishkek did sufficient to make these folks used to Iran?
I’m assured that the work to lift consciousness of the nation, its traits, tradition, historical past, civilization, and folks ought to all the time be carried out. To date, folks from our two brothers nonetheless don’t absolutely acknowledge one another. For instance, many Iranians, regardless of their hundreds of years of historical past and tradition, have no idea about Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan. They usually confuse them with neighboring Central Asia, resembling Kazakhstan, for instance. Kyrgyzstan confuses Iran with Iraq and associates it with different nations within the Middle East area. Nevertheless, the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Iran attracts vacationers to this stunning nation, like Iran, in order that they’ll get used to its wealthy tradition and revel in Iran’s historic monuments, utilized arts and folks artwork. I’m actively working in direction of this. This 12 months, we plan to arrange an Iranian delegation’s go to to Kyrgyzstan. This contains main journey companies, journalists and well-known bloggers. Additionally, on the finish of February this 12 months, a gathering of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Regional Planning Council shall be held with the attendance of a delegation from the Tourism Bureau beneath the Ministry of Economic and Commerce of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. We shall be holding a briefing for media briefings, Iranian tour operators and airline representatives, and well-known Iranian bloggers. I’m assured that the implementation of the outlined plan will contribute to rising the extent of consciousness amongst our folks and can enhance the stream of vacationers between Kyrgyzstan and Iran.
5. What position do you take into account in cultural and media cooperation in creating extra understanding and familiarity between the 2 nations?
Without a doubt, tradition and artwork play a significant position in our acquaintances between nations. In this context, I want to point out our full-length and brief movie participation in varied Iranian movie festivals, which have already develop into a practice. Last 12 months, a delegation of Kyrgyz movie distributors visited Iran to ascertain cooperation on co-production of movie sequence and screening movies in cinemas in each nations. In December 2024, a gaggle of puppet theaters in Kyrgyzstan Province visited Iran, visited Iran to take part within the twentieth International Puppet Festival, the place they offered their efficiency, “Er Toshtuk.” And in January 2025, in Tehran, the efficiency “Buguen” was proven by a gaggle of theaters on the Kyrgyz state youth theater “UCHUR”, which participated within the forty third International Theatre Festival “Fajr”.
Of course, you can’t overlook the position of the media. Therefore, there’s a have to strengthen interplay and cooperation between the media in each nations and strengthen extra frequent conferences between embassies and representatives of assorted press organisations. The Kyrgyz Embassy in Tehran has good relationships with representatives from Iranian media resembling Mehr News, Iran Daily, Tehran Times, Tasnim News and World Trade Newspaper. Since December 2014, the regional workplace of Iranian information company Faz has been working in Kyrgyzstan.
Interview: Marzieh Rahmani, Kamal Iranidoost