Below is the full text of interviewing the extraordinary and forgotten ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Turkun Sydykov with the new Mehr agency regarding the recent developments between Tehran and Beskak.
1. Mr. Ambassador, as the first question, I would like to ask you about Iran’s position in the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan – what is thinking about Tehran?
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kyrgyz and the Islamic Republic of Iran on May 10, 1992, cooperation between our countries has been developing on the basis of mutual trust and respect. There are no conflicts between our countries. Iran was one of the first countries in the world officially supporting the state and the sovereignty of the Republic of Kyrgyz. Kyrgyzstan and Iran were able to build friendly relations and trust and create useful cooperation for both parties in various fields – political, economic, cultural and humanitarian.
Of course, Kyrgyzstan is interested in further development of friendly relations with Iran, as well as implementing the current capabilities of bilateral cooperation, first and foremost, in the priority areas of both parties such as trade, economic cooperation and investment, as well as cooperation within the framework of regional and international organizations.
2. Given the last meeting of the Prime Minister of Kyrgyz with Mr. Arif, the first vice president of Iran, and his focus on expanding relations between the two countries, especially in the economic field, what do you think is the capabilities in the relations between the two countries to deepen and expand their cooperation?
As I have already noticed, there is a great possibility for bilateral cooperation between our countries, which, unfortunately, was not sufficiently achieved. One of the most important tasks for Kyrgyzstan and Iran. The last meeting of the heads of the government of our countries only confirms this fact. In fact, this is not the first meeting of the heads of the Kyrgyz government and Iran. In October 2023, as part of the meeting of the heads of the heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Peshkek, the Prime Minister of Kyrgyz met with ministers and in the same month of 2024, the Prime Minister met from Kyrgyz from the ministers with the first Iranian Vice President AREF on margins The European International Governmental Council meeting in Yerevan (Armenia), during which they discussed bilateral trade issues, economic cooperation, and regular meetings The Joint Government Committee, the expansion of transportation passages through transportation in the context of the context of the use of Iranian seaports, and the increase in agricultural products exports to Iran and other local issues.
3- To what extent can the interactions between the two countries within the framework of regional and international organizations such as the European Economic Union and the Organization for Cooperation in Shanghai to facilitate the strengthening of economic relations between the two countries?
We comments great importance to Iran’s economic participation by interacting with various regional organizations. For example, with the support of the Kyrgyz Republic and the European Economic Union member states (EAEU), the free trade agreement between the European Economic Union and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Saint Petersburg was signed on December 25, 2023. Also, Kyrgyz Republic was one of the first to support the grant initiative The observer in Iran put in Eaeu. As is known, the relevant document was signed on December 26 last year in Saint Petersburg.
Consequently, a commercial system exempt from customs duties and conditions favored to enter both agricultural and industrial goods to the Iranian market and vice versa is guaranteed.
EAEU’s interaction provides an opportunity for Iran’s cooperation with the Republic of Kyrgyz and Eaeu on eliminating technical barriers, applying health measures, plant health, customs cooperation, etc.
As for cooperation between the Republic of Kyrgyz and Iran within the framework of Sco, I would also like to point out that our country was among the first to support Iran’s membership in this organization. Iran’s membership in Sco, the largest in the world, whose members include more than 34 million square kilometers, and in other words, 60 % of Eurasia, with a population of more than 3 billion people will enhance and enrich politics and expand commercial, economic, scientific and cultural, as well as cooperation In education, transportation, communications, etc. It is necessary to note the importance of interaction between countries related to regional security and anti -terrorism issues.
4. It seems that the relations between the two countries are limited to some economic matters and that the two sides do not know each other well. What is the performance of Kyrgyzstan in this regard? Do you think Bishkek has done enough to get to know Iran?
I am sure that working to increase awareness of a country, its requests, culture, history, civilization and people should always be done. Until now, the peoples in the two brotherly countries still do not realize enough to each other. For example, many Iranians do not know about Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan, despite thousands of years of history and culture. They often confuse us with neighboring countries in Central Asia, such as Kazakhstan, for example. The Qorge, in turn, confuses Iran and Iraq, or connects it to other countries in the Middle East. However, the Embassy of the Republic of Kyrgyz in Iran is actively working to attract tourists to this beautiful country like Iran so that they can identify the rich culture and enjoy the historical monuments, applied arts and folklore in Iran. We plan this year to organize a visit to the Iranian delegation to Kyrgyzstan, which will include the main travel companies, journalists and famous bloggers. Also, at the end of February of this year, a meeting of the Regional Planning Council of the Organization of Economic Cooperation (ECO) will be held, in the presence of a delegation from the Ministry of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and the Trading of the Republic of Kyrgyz. We plan to organize a briefing for the press, representatives of tourist tourists and airlines in Iran, as well as the famous Iranian bloggers. I am convinced that the implementation of the specific plans contributes to increasing the level of recognition between our peoples and will increase the tourism flow between Kyrgyzstan and Iran.
5. What is the role you are considering in cultural cooperation and media in creating more understanding and familiarity between the two countries?
Undoubtedly, culture and art play a big role in getting to know our countries. In this context, I would like to mention the participation of our short and short films in various cinematic festivals in Iran, which has already become a tradition. Last year, a delegation of Kyrgyz movie distributors visited Iran to establish cooperation on the joint production of the film series in addition to showing films in cinemas in the two countries. In December 2024, the PUPPET State PUPPET Iran visited Iran visited Iran to participate in the twentieth international bridal festival, where they performed “Er Toshtuk”. In January 2025, in Tehran, “BUGU ENE” was shown by the theater group for the Uchur State Youth Theater, which participated in the International Theater Festival 43 “Fajr”.
Of course, the role of the media cannot be overlooked. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance interaction and cooperation between the media in the two countries, as well as the repeated meetings between the embassy and representatives of various news agencies. The Kyrgyz Embassy in Tehran has good business relations with Iranian media representatives such as Mehr News, IRAN Daily, Tehran Times, Tasnim News and World Trade Newspaper and others. Since December 2014, the regional office of the Iranian News Agency “Fars” has been working in Kyrgyzstan.
Interview: Marzier Al -Rahmi, Kamal Iran
