Iran Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says the Islamic Republic and neighboring Kazakhstan can work together to define the legal regime of the Caspian Sea and ensure the security of the land-locked lake.In a meeting with Chairman of Kazakh Parliaments Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security Maulen Ashimbayev in Tehran on Tuesday, Larijani stated that Tehran and Astana can cooperate in a variety of areas, including the legal status and security of the Caspian Sea as well as campaigning against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.
He also described Kazakhstan as one of Irans good and valuable neighbors, and highlighted commonalities between the two countries.
Various strategic factors have brought the two countries closer together and bilateral relations must be expanded in different areas of politics, economy, trade and culture by fully benefiting from the existing potentials, particularly economic capacities, Larijani pointed out.
He further noted that the Islamic Republic has long opposed the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan, and strongly believes that regional issues must be resolved through cooperation and collective efforts of countries in the region.
Larijani also hailed Kazakhstans active role in the resolution of the dispute over Tehrans nuclear energy program, stressing that the ongoing negotiations between representatives of Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - plus Germany have entered a positive phase and Majlis supports the new atmosphere which is meant to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.
Ashimbayev, for his part, termed Iran as a powerful country and a good friend of Kazakhstan.
He stated that Astana attaches great significance to the enhancement of all-out ties with Tehran, adding that Kazakh and Iranian parliaments can play key and effective roles in facilitating trade exchanges between the two countries.
Ashimbayev also expressed Kazakhstans satisfaction with progress in the nuclear talks between Iran and the six major world powers, and voiced his countrys preparedness for contribution to resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.
By Press TV
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