TEHRAN, April 27 (MNA) – Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani met and held talks with his Kazakh counterpart colonel-general Ruslan Zhakssylykov in Astana.The two ministers met on the sidelines of a meeting of the ministers of defense of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday.

During the meeting, the two sides emphasized increasing the two countries' capacities and readiness to develop defense cooperation.

While congratulating the Iranian Defense Minister's first presence at the Defense Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting after Iran's full membership, Zhakssylykov expressed hope that Iran's presence in the SCO will strengthen and promote the organization's programs and missions.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Ashtiani called for strengthening mutual defense cooperation in the fields of education and military medicine.

Iranian Defense Minister invited his Kazakh counterpart to visit Tehran and emphasized that Iran is fully prepared to expand bilateral defense cooperation.

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