Iran ready to promote economic and trade ties with Kazakhstan

Iran is prepared to promote economic and trade ties with Kazakhstan in the fields of gas, oil swap as well as purchase of wheat, Iran's ambassador to Astana said here after meeting President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Envoy Morteza Saffari Natanzi said that Tehran and Astana agreed on a range of issues and both the countries were firm in their decision to upgrade economic and industrial ties.

The Iranian envoy said oil swap from Kazakhstan to Iran which had stopped due to technical and refinery problems would resume soon. He said Iran had spent up to $ 450 mm on the project. Saffari said that Nazarbayev welcomed the participation of Iranian companies in that country, saying that Kazakhstan was ready to provide whatever facilities needed.
Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan supported Tehran's stance on a wide range of issues and asked for consolidation of ties in all fields. Saffari, who was calling on the Kazakh president to submit his credentials, also conveyed President Mohammad Khatami's greetings to him.