Iran ? golden bridge to connect Kazakhstan with all countries: Iranian Ambassador

ALMATY. February 10. KAZINFORM /Yelena Ilyinskaya/ The Islamic revolution in Iran has marked its 30th anniversary. Over this period the country reached important achievements in all spheres of its activity. It is a result of a wise policy, cooperation and collaboration with neighboring countries of the region. Strong relations between Kazakhstan and Iran were established on January 29, 1992 and continue strengthening from year to year. Thus, over the past four years, trade volume has increased fourfold. For Kazakhstan, Iran could become a solid bridge connecting it with the world. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Iran to Kazakhstan Ramin Mehmanparast told the Kazinform correspondent.

What is the turnover between the countries and what is the dynamics of growth? How many joint ventures do we have and how do the Kazakh-Iranian relations develop? Has the world crisis impacted on them? Relations between our countries have developed dynamically. Mutual visits on a high level show intention of bilateral cooperation and mutual desire to develop them. Kazakhstan President N.Nazarbayev?s visit to Iran has given considerable impetus in the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in the framework of different international and regional organizations such as the UN, CICA, the Organization of Islamic Conference, Organization for Economic Cooperation and others . Participation of the Iranian side in the CICA and Congress of the World Traditional Religions, initiated by Kazakhstan, is considered positively. In the framework of regional cooperation a project of construction of a railway line along the route Uzen ? Kyzyl koya ? Bereke ? Korgan and transit of goods ?North-South? through the Eastern Asia to Western Europe should be named. Mutually beneficial relations between regions ? between Kazakhstan?s oblasts and Iran?s provinces expand as well. Results of bilateral investment forum held in Aktau in October, 2008 and specialized Iranian exhibitions in Shymkent in December, 2008 have positive value in mutually beneficial relations. With regard to the economic crisis, its impact is felt throughout the world. But in some countries its influence is less. Iran and Kazakhstan are among those countries. I think that we have an opportunity to overcome this crisis without serious consequences. There is a major factor for it ? regional cooperation, mutual assistance and mutual understanding, that will help, thanks to joint investment in various fields, together to overcome all difficulties. In 2008 trade turnover between the two countries amounted to USD 3 bln. Within meetings of the two presidents it was charged to increase this figure to 10 billion dollars and above. We have enough potential. We hope to fulfill this task in the nearest three-four years. For this purpose it is necessary to create large companies. We negotiate on creation of a joint investment transport company and enterprise on automobiles production. It is known that Iran annually produces more than 1 million vehicles of thirty model, two of them exclusively Iranian - from design to production.For example, such trade mark as ?Samand?has been made abroad for a long time. In what other sectors can our countries cooperate? We can closely cooperate in energy and oil and gas industry, in particular processing of oil and gas. And it is the agricultural sector too ? production, processing and transportation of agricultural products and equipment from other countries. Sharing technical knowledge between specialists of Kazakhstan and Iran is one of the most important areas of cooperation. In recent years our scientists have been successful in technical terms and we are ready to share this knowledge with our neighbors to facilitate development of the region. It is necessary to remember that Iran is a golden bridge, which can unite all countries owing to its unique geographical location and access to ?free seas?. The Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf give excellent transit opportunities for transportation, which can be maximally used. But why all these projects have not been realized yet? And how beneficial is implementation of oil projects for both countries when the oil price is very low? In the past four years, these projects were under consideration, some of them have already been implemented. Thus, the joint working group in the oil industry is already working. There were several meetings. A few days ago the Iranian delegation was in Astana in order to conduct negotiations in the field of petrochemicals, the construction of the pipeline, a joint production of tankers with carrying capacity 63 tons, which Iran already produces. In addition, we have declared our willingness to participate in the petrochemical project in Atyrau, negotiating the construction of refineries and oil refinery in northern Iran and the construction of a liquefied gas. It is interesting to know your opinion on how the Iranian-USA relations changed after election of Barack Obama as the President? We are, certainly, glad that for the first time in the U.S history a black citizen became the country?s President. We see in it a good sign. But the most important thing for us is that changes in political views of the American government. B.Obama came to change the policy, including misleading statements about Iran. We hope to see a positive result of his activity. And if it takes place we will cooperate not only with the USA. Iran wants to live in peace and harmony with all countries. Thank you for the interview.