TEHRAN - Post, Telegraph and Telephone (PTT) Minister and Iranian Head of Tehran-Bishkek Joint Economic Commission Mohammad- Reza Aref and Kyrgyz Minister of Transport Sati Baldeav in a meeting here on Sunday explored ways of expanding bilateral cooperation. Aref at the meeting expressed hope that certain obstacles to mutual industrial, mining cooperation would be removed through exchange of views between Iranian and Kyrgyz officials.

Calling Iran's activities in Kyrgyzstan in the area of roads building as successful, Aref said that Iran is ready to expand mutual cooperation and its companies are ready to actively contribute to implementation of other industrial and econonmic projects. The two sides had in the first session of the commission discussed a variety of subject pertinent to encouraging and supporting mutual investments, conclusion of commercial agreements, improvement of cooperation in the areas of health, veterinary, roads buildings and transportation, setting up exclusive fairs and establishment of air links between Iran and Bishkek. Baldeav called outcome of the first commission session as fruitful and expressed hope that continuation of the commission's activities would lead to expansion of economic, social, political and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

He also called on Iran to increase its investments in Kyrgayzstan in the areas of economy and industry. (IRNA)