On March 9, Tashkent hosted the first meeting of Uzbekistan – Iran Joint Security Commission.

The delegations were led by the Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Viktor Makhmudov and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Shamkhani.

The parties noted a new level of mutually beneficial relations achieved in recent years between Uzbekistan and Iran based on the principles of mutual trust, respect, consideration of each other’s interests and constructive cooperation.

It was emphasized that thanks to the efforts of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, a solid foundation was laid for the comprehensive deepening of interstate ties.

The parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in countering the growing threats caused by international terrorism and religious extremism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and other challenges to regional security.

At the meeting, issues of improving practical mechanisms for interaction in security and maintaining stable development in the region in the context of the current situation in Afghanistan were considered.

The importance of supporting Afghanistan by enhancing regional cooperation and the effective use of political, trade and economic instruments to involve this country in the regional process was noted.

The demand was noted for the creation of a permanent mechanism of consultations between the offices of the Security Councils of Uzbekistan and Iran to coordinate the interaction of the competent authorities of the two countries and the timely development of joint decisions on the current issues of regional security and sustainable development, as well as the bilateral agenda.

Joint initiatives and recommendations were put forward to enhance security cooperation, the importance of continuing the intensive dynamics of relations and giving them a new impetus by tapping into unrealized potential was emphasized.

Following the event, the Protocol of the first meeting of Uzbekistan – Iran Joint Security Commission was signed, which provides for specific measures to further deepen and enhance security cooperation.

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Ulugbek Makhmirzayev, UzA