Iran, Kazakhstan sign 9 cooperation documents

"Memorandum of Understanding between the Centre for Political Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Foreign Policy Research Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan", "Cultural Exchange Program between the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Iran and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan", "Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Analytical Studies and Exchange of Experience between the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade and the Ministry of Trade and Convergence of Kazakhstan", "Memorandum of Understanding on Increasing Bilateral Trade between the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade and the Ministry of Trade and Convergence of Kazakhstan", "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad of Iran and the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan in the Field of Agriculture", "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad of Iran and the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure of Kazakhstan in the Field of Trade and Transit of Agricultural Products", "Memorandum of Understanding between the IRIB and the State News Agency of Kazakhstan", "Memorandum of Understanding between the National Iranian Oil Company and KazMunayGas (KMG)", "Memorandum of Understanding between the Iranian Railways and the National Railway Company of Kazakhstan" were documents signed by the ministers, governor-generals and relevant officials of the two countries in the presence of the Presidents of Iran and Kazakhstan.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the two presidents also signed a joint statement.
 

Speaking in a joint press conference with his Kazakh counterpart after the signing ceremony, President Raeisi said for the past thirty years, Iran has had good relations with Kazakhstan, but these relations have not been enough.

Noting that there are many capacities in Iran and Kazakhstan that can provide the basis for improving relations between the two countries, he added that the signing of agreements is an important sign of the will of the two countries to develop relations.

Trade relations between the two countries have increased by more than 50% in recent months, the Iranian President said, adding that the level of these relationships can certainly increase even more, and the two countries can increase the volume of transactions at the current level to $ 3 billion in the first step.

The two countries can extend their relations in the fields of industry, agriculture, energy, transit and oil and gas, he noted, adding that Iran and Kazakhstan should make more efforts for cultural development due to their cultural and civilizational backgrounds. 

"In addition to bilateral relations, we are determined to expand regional relations between the two countries. The cooperation between the two countries in regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Union could increase in the region," Raeisi said. 
 

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for his part, said that extensive talks were held today and many issues were discussed. 

Both sides are interested in using the transit capacity, and in this regard, the corridors that connect the east to the west and the north and the south are of special importance, he added. 

Stating that the two sides also had talks in the field of agriculture, which will lead to the improvement of relations between Kazakhstan and Iran, he said that the documents and agreements that were signed will help the progress of the two countries relations. 

Iran is a center of ancient civilization and an important partner in the Islamic world, the Kazakh President said.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Sunday arrived in the Iranian capital of Tehran and was welcomed by the Iranian Minister of Agriculture Jihad Seyyed Javad Sadati Nejad.

Then, he was officially welcomed by the Iranian president at the Saadabad complex.