(Press TV, KazInform) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s principled stance on improving cooperation with neighbouring states, saying Tehran considers no limits to regional ties.

Zarif (L) and with his Kazakh counterpart Yerlan Idrisov during their meeting in Astana on April 13, 2015.
(Photo: AFP)

“We consider no ceiling for the expansion of relations with regional countries whether in the Caucasus or in Central Asia”, Zarif said in a joint press conference with his Kazakh counterpart, Yerlan Idrisov, in Astana on Monday.

He added that “regional convergence” would be beneficial to all countries in the region and across the globe, noting that Iran and Kazakhstan hold common views on foreign policy issues and in cultural and economic fields and this would “strengthen stability in the region”.

Zarif further stated that Iran pursues negotiations to determine the legal regime of the Caspian Sea with seriousness and strong interest. “The Caspian Sea is the sea of peace and friendship among littoral countries and should prepare grounds for trade and economic cooperation among them”, the Iranian minister added. Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are the littoral states of the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water by area, and is variously classed as the world’s largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The issue of the Caspian Sea’s legal regime gained importance following the break-up of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the emergence of newly independent states.

Caspian Sea boosts trade, economic ties

The Kazakh foreign minister, for his part, said the Caspian Sea can prepare the ground for the expansion of trade and economic ties among its littoral states.

Idrisov added that his country’s foreign policy attaches importance to trade and economic cooperation among regional countries which can help maintain security in the region. He emphasized that Kazakhstan will spare no effort to establish peace and stability in the region. Iran, as an economic power in the region, can play a leading role in promoting peace, he said.

Kzakh Senate

Kazakh Senate Speaker Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev has also met with Zarif. Speaker Tokayev pointed out that the upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament is keen to establish closer contacts with the Majilis of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran and invited Iranian parliamentarians to visit Astana.