The Kazakhstan and IranPresidents held talks in an expanded format
June 19, 2022
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
At the end of the meeting in a narrow format, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Ibrahim Raisi held talks with the participation of official delegations of the two states.
During the meeting, the parties discussed in detail the state and prospects for the development of Kazakh-Iranian relations. Particular attention was paid to strengthening trade and economic cooperation in the areas of transport and logistics, industry and agriculture, as well as expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.
Welcoming the Iranian delegation, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that this year Kazakhstan and Iran are celebrating an important date – the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. According to him, during this period, both countries were able to establish close interstate contacts.
– We have established a constructive political dialogue based on good neighborliness and strong friendship. A solid legal base has been formed between the two countries. More than 60 contracts have been signed. The intergovernmental economic commission is actively functioning. Now we are planning to create a joint chamber of commerce. Inter-parliamentary relations have been established, inter-regional cooperation is being strengthened, close cooperation has been established within the framework of international organizations, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.
Speaking about the prospects for economic cooperation, the Head of State stressed the importance of increasing the indicators of mutual trade between the two countries, noting the positive dynamics of growth in trade in the first quarter of this year.
In addition, the President focused on the great opportunities in the transport and logistics sector, in particular, the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway line. Along with this, he noted the transit and export potential of seaports in the Caspian Sea. The ports of Aktau and Kuryk, Amirabad and Anzali have a huge potential here.
One of the main directions in the economic cooperation between the two countries is the agricultural sector. In this context, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the activities of a number of Iranian companies in Kazakhstan for cattle breeding, meat processing, dairy production and rice cultivation. At the same time, he announced the readiness of the Kazakh side to expand the range of domestic agricultural products for delivery to Iran.
Along with this, the Head of State expressed interest in the implementation of joint projects in the light industry and the agro-industrial complex.
Cooperation in the field of culture plays a special role in strengthening Kazakh-Iranian relations. The connecting link between the peoples of the two countries is the Kazakh diaspora in Iran. In this context, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the prospects for strengthening cooperation in the study of history and the exchange of historical data.
In turn, the President of Iran, welcoming Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his delegation to Iranian soil, noted that his official visit is a turning point in the development of Kazakh-Iranian relations across the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation.
“I hope that your visit will give a great impetus to the development of trade and economic cooperation, including in the transit-transport, energy, agricultural, and tourism sectors,” Ibrahim Raisi said.
In conclusion, the Head of our state invited the President of Iran to make a return visit to Kazakhstan.
Following the talks, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Ibrahim Raisi signed a Joint Statement aimed at bringing bilateral cooperation to a new level.
Then, in the presence of the heads of state, the members of the official delegations signed the following documents:
1. Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Institute of International and Political Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
2. Cultural exchange program for 2022-2025 between the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in the field of analytical research and exchange of experience.
4. Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation to enhance bilateral trade.
5. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad of the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in the field of agriculture.
6. Memorandum on Kazakh-Iranian cooperation in agricultural trade and transit.
7. Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between Khabar Agency JSC and the State Television and Radio Company of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
8. Memorandum of Understanding between JSC “National