Astana, Kazakhstan, Sept.10
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway will open in November 2014 press service of the President of Kazakhstan said Sept. 10.
"Commissioning of the Kazakhstan Turkmenistan-Iran railway opens up the possibility for handling of 10 million metric tons of cargo," the president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev said during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Astana Sept. 10.
"Through this way, Iran has the ability to enter the Russian and Chinese markets and our country, in turn, to all of the Gulf States," he noted. "This main line, which is scheduled to open in early November of this year, will have a positive impact on the bringing of bilateral and regional trade and economic cooperation to a new level," he added.
Nazarbayev also noted that Iran will be able to take advantage of the Western Europe - Western China transport corridor, which will allow the country to reach Chinese and Russian markets through Kazakhstan. Kazakh President stressed the importance of the development of relations in a number of other key areas as well.
It is reported that the head of state also said there was an exchange of views on topical issues of the international agenda. In particular, the situation in Iraq, Syria, Israel and Palestine was mentioned as well as the process of negotiations on the issue of Iran's nuclear program between Iran and the six states. In this regard, the President of Kazakhstan has expressed confidence that the lifting of sanctions against Iran will have a positive impact both on the welfare of the Iranian people and the growth of the economy and trade of the country.
"The president also expressed the readiness of our country to once again provide a platform for the relevant negotiations," the press-service said.