Iran, Kazakhstan issue joint statement

Astana, April 7, IRNA - Iran and Kazakhstan issued a joint statement on mutual cooperation on Tuesday.

The statement was signed by Iran?s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and
his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazabayev.

The two countries have already signed five documents on establishing a
joint oil tanker company and improving cooperation on such areas as
culture, religion, broadcast media, healthcare and hygiene, sports and
tourism.

In the joint statement and during their talks, the two presidents
expressed their willingness to consolidate political interactions and
improve cooperation in economic, commercial and cultural areas.

The two presidents also voiced readiness to take all necessary
measures to facilitate exchange of goods and advance cooperation
between the private sectors of the two countries.

They also stressed on the need to speedily settle disputes regarding
the Caspian Sea legal regime and, while underscoring the existing
friendly ties between the two countries, urged promotion of
cooperation among all Caspian Sea littoral states and improving
security and stability in the region.

Constructing the Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan railway network,
expanding cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the two
countries and enhancing cooperation in international arena, especially
in regional organizations and meetings, were among other topics
stressed in the statement.

The statement further expressed concern over the deepening adverse
economic situation in the world and said the present crisis could be
settled only through orchestrated measures by all members of the world
community.

It also stressed the peaceful settlement of international conflicts
and called for measures to solve the Middle East crisis based on
justice, international regulations and democratic principles.

President Ahmadinejad arrived in Astana on Monday.

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