14-06-08 Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev says Iran is one of the "best transit routes" for Central Asian countries' oil exports to the West.
Nazarbayev seemed to dismiss the availability of Russian pipelines when he told that Iran is one the best routes to export oil to Western nations. Russia has been interested in transporting gas and oil through its territory but Western countries have been looking for alternatives elsewhere, he added.

Nazarbayev said French oil giant Total, which has a very active presence in Kazakhstan, has been interested in transporting oil via Iranian soil for some time but had not done so "for political reasons".
He noted he is not interested in "ignoring" Russia but wants to maintain good relationships with all nations.

Kazakhstan has followed an "open policy" in its energy sector and encourages competition among Western, Chinese and Russian companies.
Since its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan's economy has become heavily dependent on energy, with 56 % of its exports and 55 % of its budget comprised of oil revenues.