TEHRAN (ecoideal)- Iranian Agricultural Jihad Minister Mahmoud Hojjati and Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Askar Myrzakhmetov in a meeting in Tehran called for broadening of mutual cooperation between the two countries, specially in the field of agriculture.
During the meeting in the Iranian capital on Monday, Hojjati and Myrzakhmetov explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating bilateral relations.
During the meeting, Hojjati underlined that the two countries can complement one another, and said, "Kazakhstan is an exporter of the products Iran imports, such as barley, oil seeds, red meat and cattle."
The Iranian minister pointed to the capability of Kazakhstan to produce Iranian products such as rice, and said, "We are prepared to give technical and educational support for producing Iranian rice in Kazakhstan."
Hojjati mentioned the previous cooperation between two countries in terms of growing four types of Iranian rice and expressed hope that obstacles could be removed so that Iranian investors can cultivate Kazakh lands.
For his part, Myrzakhmetov underlined the necessity for expanding cooperation between the two countries in terms of production, importation and exportation of agricultural products and added that Kazakhstan can satisfy the demands of Iran for wheat, while Iran can export citrus fruits to Kazakhstan.
In relevant remarks in December, Iranian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mojtaba Damirchilou underlined that Tehran and Astana are resolved to expand their economic relations.
"The recent visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was aimed at boosting the economic ties between Iran and Kazakhstan," the Iranian envoy told ecoideal.
He reiterated that the trade balance between Iran and Kazakhstan stood at $600 million over the past nine months.
"Iran and Kazakhstan have not used their capacities specially in economic fields despite having sufficient capacities," Damirchilou added.
Earlier in December, Rahimpour underlined that his country is resolved to expand mutual cooperation with the Central Asia countries.
"Bolstering ties with friendly countries in Central Asia tops Iran's foreign policy," Rahimpour told reporters after his meetings with Kyrgyz officials in Bishkek.
He, meantime, underlined the need for enhancing bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian states.
Source: Farsnews