ASTANA (KazInform) – In Tehran a special envoy of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, chairman of the Senate’s committee on Finance and Budget, Rashid Akhmetov has met with Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, the secretary general of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.

Rashid Akhmetov

Mr. Akhmetov handed him an invitation to take part in the upcoming V Congress of Leaders of World and traditional religions, Kazinform refers to the press service of the Senate.

Senator has addressed to Ayatollah Mohsen Araki warm words of welcome on behalf of the President of Kazakhstan. During the meeting, Mr Akhmetov said that the Astana forum has become a spiritual authoritative international platform to promote global dialogue of cultures and civilizations. He informed his conversation partner that the Congress will be themed “The dialogue of religious leaders and political figures in the name of peace and development”.

Ayatollah Mohsen Araki assured that the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought will continue to actively participate in the spiritual forum.

Iran imports grain, oil products and metals from Kazakhstan. Iran is a partner in joint oil and gas projects including construction of a pipeline connecting Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran (Persian Gulf) which will give Astana access to the Asian markets. Kazakhstan has special interests in Iranian investments in mechanical engineering, infrastructure, transport, and telecommunications.