President hails ‘decisive step’ in ties as Iran, Kazakhstan seal 14 deals
Iran and Kazakhstan have signed 14 memoranda of understanding in Astana as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday met his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, marking what they described as a significant step in expanding bilateral ties.
In a ceremony attended by the two presidents, senior officials from both countries concluded agreements and MoUs covering transportation, transit and logistics, cultural exchanges, legal assistance, health and medical care, diplomatic interaction, and media cooperation, Press TV reported.
The two leaders also signed a joint statement outlining their commitment to deepen relations.
Pezeshkian, in Astana at the head of a high-ranking delegation, said the results of the visit represent “a major and decisive step” toward strengthening bilateral relations. He expressed optimism that the political will in Tehran and Astana could raise the volume of trade and investment to a level “worthy” of the two nations.
The Iranian president added that Iran and Kazakhstan must promote close relations to counter the United States’ unilateralism.
40% growth in bilateral trade
Pezeshkian said that the two countries have managed to achieve 40% growth in bilateral trade over the past 10 months and are ready to carry out a roadmap aimed at raising the value of trade up to three billion dollars. He expressed hope that Tehran and Astana will make more use of the capacities of the private sector.
He emphasized that Tehran and Astana interact closely on many regional and international issues, saying, “The two countries have had good cooperation in various political, economic, and cultural fields and have also reached valuable agreements."
Pointing to Iran-Kazakhstan active cooperation in international organizations, he added that "the two countries maintain stable and close relations within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as in matters concerning the Caspian Sea region." He urged both countries to continue this path and focus on further promotion of cooperation.
Pezeshkian said the resolution of banking problems would play an important role in developing relations, and emphasized that the full implementation of the free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union will pave the way for further expansion of trade and economic relations between Tehran and Astana.
Tehran seeks to boost transit, private-sector projects
Also, on Thursday, during the joint session of high-level delegations from Iran and Kazakhstan in Astana, Pezeshkian highlighted Iran’s key role in the regional transport network, describing the country as the most cost-effective and efficient transit route for Kazakhstan.
“There is significant potential for the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran corridor to expand transit cooperation, which would benefit both countries,” the president’s official website quoted him as saying.
He also pointed to private-sector initiatives, including the construction of a joint silo at the port of Aktau in southwestern Kazakhstan and the establishment of food packaging and storage facilities in the central Asian country. “These projects, it would be an effective step in strengthening economic cooperation,” Pezeshkian added.
Tokayev, in turn, highlighted the geostrategic importance of the region, noting that Kazakhstan, Iran, Iraq, Armenia, and Turkmenistan could establish a critical, future-oriented transport corridor.
He expressed his country’s strong interest in expanding comprehensive ties with Iran, saying, “Iran possesses extensive technical and economic capabilities, and we are eager to cooperate in various sectors, including logistics, healthcare, and other fields,” he said.
Tokayev welcomed Iran’s allocation of 15 hectares of land in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas for joint development projects, describing the move as an effective step toward strengthening bilateral relations. Kazakhstan has received 15 hectares of land at Shahid Rajaee Port and is constructing a dedicated terminal.
Following the Kazakhstan visit, the Iranian president headed to Turkmenistan, where an international summit revolving around peace would be held with several heads of state in attendance.