Despite the emerging difficult geopolitical situation around various countries, Kazakhstan and Iran continue to strengthen cooperation. And also to develop trade and economic relations, the potential of which is very high. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kazakhstan Ali Akbar Joukari spoke about this and much more in an exclusive interview     for Akmaral ABENOVA, the "Eurasia:Politics and Culture" information and analytical group portal. 


- What can you tell us about bilateral economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Iran? Could the Islamic Republic of Iran become a new Silk Road for the export of Kazakh food to Islamic countries of the Middle East?

- According to the Islamic Republic of Iran, relations with Kazakhstan throughout the world are exemplary. As for our two countries, they are connected both by their geographical location and by the fact that we have very deep, centuries-old cultural and historical ties. Between our countries there is also the Caspian Sea, which unites us, and through Iran, Kazakhstan has the opportunity to enter the world ocean. But so far, Kazakhstan has been using these opportunities at a fairly minimal level. However, Kazakhstan has great potential to enter the 80 million Iranian market, the markets of the Persian Gulf states, and also across the sea to African countries.

- What are the most exported goods between Iran and Kazakhstan? What is needed, in your opinion, to expand food trade?

- According to statistics, the goods that are widely involved in export-import exchange between the two countries today are products of agriculture, the food industry, and the petrochemical industry. But the current trade turnover does not correspond to the potential that Kazakhstan and Iran have. Because, for example, Iran produces a very large number of industrial goods of high quality and at an affordable price, just like in Kazakhstan. So we all need more active participation and work of the private sector to increase trade turnover between Iran and Kazakhstan.



- In December last year, a free trade agreement was signed between the EAEU and Iran in St. Petersburg. Please comment on this question?

- I would like to note that this process began a long time ago - back in 2018, when the first agreement on the provision of preferential tariffs for products was adopted. In addition, it seems to me that an important aspect of cooperation in this area with the EAEU is that states that are located in the Eurasian region can freely engage in trade in the industrial products of their countries. In addition, strengthening this cooperation and mutual trade within the EAEU will have a very positive impact on the well-being of the population of these countries. Thus, according to the same statistics, if in 2022 Iran’s exports to the EAEU states were at the level of $1.517 billion, then in a short time, already at the end of 2023, this volume reached $1.669 billion. That is, the growth was 10 percent. And imports from the EAEU countries to Iran also increased from $1.750 billion to $1.850 billion.

- Iran joined the SCO as a full member of this organization in July last year. What does the Islamic Republic of Iran expect from this union?

- As you know, recently there has been a tendency in the world to develop regional structures, as well as regional organizations and cooperations. So it was a very useful and successful practice. Our region requires interaction and integration within regional organizations in order to develop trade and economic ties, despite its differences. I would also like to note the important role of Kazakhstan during its chairmanship in the SCO, when many events were planned for the development and expansion of cooperation, and thank them for the active work done. And also emphasize that if we switch to using national currencies in our trade and economic relations, then the SCO will generally turn into a very powerful economic structure. Organizations such as the SCO show that if its member-members use national currencies in their mutual settlements, they will be able to effectively cope with such economic challenges. And, although there have been no concrete steps in this direction yet, I think that in the future everything will come to this.

- The World Nomad Games will be held in Astana this coming fall, in which representatives of 80 countries will take part, including from the Islamic Republic of Iran. What do you think about it?

- As you know, connections in the field of sports are the main part of interaction between peoples. And, fortunately, Iran and Kazakhstan always exchange both sports teams and sports delegations on an ongoing basis. It should also be noted the specificity of the games planned to be held in Kazakhstan - the World Nomad Games, which include both sports competitions and cultural aspects. Because these sports have historical roots, they have a lot of commonality in the Central Asian region. We will try to send a very worthy delegation from Iran to participate in these games. Of course, these events will also be an excellent opportunity for Kazakhstan and participants from other countries to get acquainted with the delegation from Iran, with the culture of Iran, since today there is a lack of knowledge about cultural and historical values ​​between our countries.


- What, in your opinion, are the prospects for the development of tourism between the two countries? Is it possible to develop scientific as well as business tourism? What does that require?

- Undoubtedly, tourism plays a key role in the world today for the development of relations in the cultural, social and scientific spheres. Therefore, the more tourism relationships are strengthened, the more it will improve cultural and social ties, reducing the level of tension between countries. That is why the sphere of tourism development between our two states is one of the priorities of the Iranian Embassy in Kazakhstan. So it is very gratifying that with your participation, the participation of the media and television interviews, we can take advantage of the development of this acquaintance and share information about our citizens. Moreover, our countries have very great educational and scientific potential. So does the potential for educational, health and ecotourism.

- Is it possible to note that, despite the emerging difficult geopolitical situation around various countries, Kazakhstan and Iran continue to strengthen cooperation?

- This is true. Neither Iran nor Kazakhstan can be hostage to various geopolitical events in the world. Although some manifestations of big powers affect our trade turnover, trade and economic interaction. But between our two countries at the highest political level there is very great political will to develop successful relations, so there are no problematic issues between Kazakhstan and Iran.