TEHRAN -- Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov arrived in Tehran Friday night for a two-day visit to discuss ways of expanding economic and trade ties, as well as to bolster mutual cooperation in the field of transportation.

Uzbekistan, in comparison with other Central Asian states, enjoys higher economic potentials in both industry and agriculture. The gas industry is the most efficient sector in the country's economy, while the contribution of oil and coal reserves in the development of its economy cannot be overlooked.

However, Uzbekistan, just like other Central Asian countries, wants to use Iran's geographical position for trade with the rest of the world, given the fact that it has limited access to the high seas.

In fact, the cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan in the area of transportation is considered to constitute one of the most important subjects in the economic relations of the two countries.

Uzbekistan recently decided to export a considerable share of its cotton from the country's Octav Port to Iran's Amirabad Port, and thereon to the international markets.

Although Tehran-Tashkent relations are gradually growing, the two countries have yet to exploit all available potentials and diversify ties in all areas.

Uzbekistan is trying to carry out reform programs in its political and economic domains in line with developments in international markets. The expansion of ties with neighbors is an efficient approach the country has taken up to promote coexistence and broaden relations with the world.

On one hand, given the prevailing stability in Afghanistan, the ground is already prepared for all of Afghanistan's neighbors to promote mutual economic ties with that country. And Uzbekistan, as one of Afghanistan's neighbors, has been no exception to this.

Considering that Iran and Uzbekistan enjoy similar viewpoints on the issue of Afghanistan, both Tehran and Tashkent can promote cooperation in their efforts for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Such cooperation will definitely safeguard the interests of the two countries, and will also expedite the reconstruction projects they are handling in the war-shattered Afghanistan.

Mutual cooperation in the area of transportation as well as the construction of the Dogharoun-Herat-Termez highway to link Iran and Uzbekistan through Afghanistan is in accord with the same goal. Besides, membership of the three countries in the regional Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has prepared an efficient framework to promote trilateral cooperation.

Therefore, Kamilov's visit should be considered from the viewpoint of Uzbekistan's efforts to expand mutual economic ties with Iran, and to strengthen solidarity and promote stability in the Central Asian region.