Kazakh Foreign Minister participates in the inauguration of the President of Iran
In Tehran, the solemn ceremony of assuming the office of the newly elected President of Iran, Hasan Ruhani, took place. On behalf of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kairat Abdrakhmanov took part in the inauguration.
On the eve of the ceremony K.Abdrakhmanov met with the newly elected President of Iran. “Today is a big day not only in the life of Iran, but also all friends of your country. I am honored to congratulate you on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. In recent years, together with the Head of Kazakhstan, you have brought bilateral relations to the level of strategic cooperation, “Abdrakhmanov said.
According to the Kazakh minister, the task of the foreign policy of the two countries is to maximally facilitate the full implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of N.Nazarbayev’s visits to Tehran and H.Ruhani in Astana, held during 2016. It is very important, K.Abdrakhmanov said, to implement projects in the transit-transport sphere, in the field of tourism, agriculture, mining.
The Minister informed the Iranian President about preparations for the first Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Science and Technologies to be held on September 10-11 in Astana and conveyed the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan to take part in this important for the whole Islamic world event.
In his turn, the President of Iran also noted with satisfaction the increased cooperation between the two countries. “There is personal friendship and full mutual understanding between me and President N. Nazarbayev. The leader of Kazakhstan is a very respected person in the world, he does a lot for the whole region, “the Iranian president said. H.Ruhani welcomed the holding of the OIC Summit on Science and Technology in Astana and assured Iran’s intention to participate in this important event. In addition, I am convinced H. Ruhani needs to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, not to allow its spread as a result of the extrusion of terrorists from the territory of Iraq and Syria.
The President stressed that Iran is ready to work closely with Kazakhstan on all joint economic projects, including SWAP operations on oil, the development of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, the establishment of sea freight and passenger transportation in the Caspian, as well as agriculture. The cooperation of the Caspian states in trade, shipping, and ecology is fruitfully developing. It remains to jointly resolve a number of issues related to the legal status of the sea, said H. Ruhani.
More detailed issues of Kazakh-Iranian cooperation were discussed during the talks of K. Abdrakhmanov with his counterpart – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Currently, there are 21 investment projects in the joint development amounting to several hundred million dollars. The rapid opening of the Consulate of Kazakhstan in the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on the shore of the Persian Gulf will facilitate the building of cooperation in transport and logistics, as has already been agreed upon by the two countries.
M. Zarif stressed that for Iran, Kazakhstan is an exceptionally important friend and neighbor. Mutual visits at the level of presidents last year significantly advanced bilateral relations. Iran has a deep respect for President N.Nazarbayev for his role in regional and international affairs. Kazakhstan, according to M.Zarif, played a useful role in the achievement and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan for the Iranian nuclear program, and Iran hopes to continue active Kazakhstan participation in this issue. The Iranian minister touched upon the issues of providing a simplified visa regime for entrepreneurs, the need to increase the tourist exchange, as well as the establishment of interbank connections.
During the talks, the parties “checked the clock” on various issues on the international agenda, including preparations for the next round of the Astana process on Syria, the situation in the Middle East, and initiatives in the field of inter-Islamic rapprochement.
Within the framework of a one-day visit to Tehran, K. Abdrakhmanov also held consultations with large Iranian businessmen working in Kazakhstan or intending to invest in our country. The Minister informed on the measures of the Government of Kazakhstan to strengthen economic diplomacy and attract investors to priority sectors of the economy. During the meeting, Iranian businessmen touched upon the actual problems that are to be solved to build up trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Iran.
Press-service
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Kazakhstan