DUSHANBE (IRNA) – Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov said the economic projects, on which agreements were reached during the International Shanghai Conference, cannot be implemented without the cooperation of Iran, as a significant regional country.

He made the remark in a meeting with Iran's Vice President Ali Saeedlu in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, which took place on the sidelines of the International Shanghai Conference.

Azimov pointed to Iran's regional stance and said that having bilateral ties with it is quite significant to his country, calling or cooperation in oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

For his part, Saeedlu urged the need for expansion of relations among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member and observer states, adding that Iran's presence as SCO permanent member will be in the interest of the organization and will raise the level of ties.

"Shanghai meeting has good advantages for the member states and the officials in charge should attempt to implement the relevant agreements and commitments," he said.

Turning to mutual ties, he said that there are favorable grounds for cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan in energy and petrochemical sectors and called for closer collaboration in this regard and formation of an energy commission to achieve the goals of both sides.

The vice president pointed to trade exchanges as well as services rendered in the fields of transit and transport as other potential grounds for cooperation.

"Today, the officials of both countries are determined to raise the level of mutual political relations. Meanwhile, the cultural commonalties between the two states will contribute to raising the level of ties," he added.

Saeedlu said that Iranian and Uzbek officials should attempt to implement the mutually reached agreements.

The 5th SCO Prime Ministers meeting was held in Dushanbe on Friday and was attended by the prime ministers of six SCO member states including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The event was also represented by Iran, India, Mongolia and Pakistan as observer members as well as Afghanistan as a guest.