Iran ready to partake in Kazakhstan?s development programs ? M. Ahmadinejad

ASTANA. April 6. KAZINFORM /Muratbek Makulbekov/ Iran and Kazakhstan are friendly brother states. Kazakhstan is rapidly developing under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Its weight on the international arena grows. President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made it public after a meeting with N. Nazarbayev in Akorda today.

?The development programs initiated by the President of Kazakhstan are integral and useful for the country. The Islamic Republic of Iran declares its readiness to take an active part in these programs?, M. Ahmadinejad said. The President of Iran expressed confidence that cooperation in the sphere of trade in grain and its transit would be activated. Cooperation in exploration and production of hydrocarbons, development of petrochemistry is likely to be expanded also. In addition to the railroad which will be built by three countries ? Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran, a new auto road will be constructed. The countries will launch new ?Tehran-Astana? airline. The sides set to develop interaction in construction of tankers for transportation of Kazakhstan oil to the world markets. ?We also agreed on mutual investments and development of banking cooperation?, M. Ahmadinejad said. As far as the Caspian problem concerned, the Iranian Leader noted the close positions of Kazakhstan and Iran on this issue. Both sides are interested in preservation of peace and stability in the Caspian region and protection of the marine ecology. ?We agree with N. Nazarbayev?s proposals on moratorium on sturgeons capture. Our experts will introduce amendments to these propositions?, he added.