Iranian foreign minister conferred on issues of mutual interest with the incoming secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Axar.az reports citing IRNA.

Vladimir Norov is now director of the Institute for Strategic and Inter-regional Studies which is under the auspices of President of Uzbekistan who was appointed as secretary general of the SCO in Qingdao summit for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, replacing Rashid Alimov from Tajikistan.

During the meeting, Zarif and Norov discussed bilateral ties as well as the regional issues.

They underlined improvement of the two countries' relations in various fields of politics, economy, culture, research, transit and tourism.

Zarif and Norov discussed also fighting terrorism, in particular, Daesh (ISIS).

The Iranian foreign minister congratulated Norov on his election as SCO chief.

In the meantime, Norov expressed the hope that Iran and SCO cooperation is expanded during his tenure.