Today the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev held meetings with the Presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Ruhani, Turkmenistan — Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Azerbaijan — Ilham Aliyev, the Russian Federation — Vladimir Putin. This is reported by the press service of Akorda.

The Head of State has greeted the President of Iran and noted that the relations between the two countries have always been stable and based on the principles of friendship and brotherhood.

"Thanks to your policy and effective bilateral meetings at the highest level, trade between our countries is growing and the volumes of cargo transportation are increasing. The supplies of agricultural products have become especially active," the President of Kazakhstan said.

Nursultan Nazarbayev has noted that Kazakhstan and Iran are close neighbours in the Caspian region, and stressed that the visits in 2016 gave a good impetus to bilateral relations.

"Our historic meeting based on trust and mutual understanding will settle all issues related to the Caspian Sea and strengthen cooperation between the Caspian countries," the Head of State said.

In turn, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hasan Rouhani thanked Nursultan Nazarbayev for the opportunity to visit Kazakhstan and the cordial welcome extended to the members of the Iranian delegation.

"We are happy to meet with you. I hope that today's summit will achieve the most positive results. Our countries are very close not only geographically, but also on a number of other aspects. At the same time, we have common interests," the Iranian leader said.

Rouhani has stressed that Kazakhstan always supports Iran on international platforms and invariably complies with nuclear agreements.

"Your country is carrying out a very important peacekeeping mission in the global arena, including as part of Astana Process. Our relations are of a strategic nature and are developing in all directions. Today Aktau hosts a significant summit on the Caspian theme, which once again confirms the great authority of Kazakhstan," the President of Iran concluded.

Also today the Head of State held a meeting with the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The Head of State greeted the President of Turkmenistan and noted that the nations of the two countries are connected with historical and brotherly ties.

"After your visit to Kazakhstan, there is a revival of our trade relations, but there is still potential for growth and work in this direction," Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Summit and noted the high level of its organization and conduct.

"Today has brought a new contribution to our relations, which have evolved over many centuries. At the present stage, we have all the opportunities for further expansion of bilateral cooperation," the President of Turkmenistan said.

At the end of the meeting the parties discussed the agenda of the meeting on the Aral Sea problems, which will be held later this month in Turkmenistan.

Then the Head of State held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The President of Kazakhstan pointed out that the process of regulating the legal status of the Caspian Sea, which began under the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, has now been finalized by signing the relevant Convention.

Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the day before there was a landmark event - the launch of the multimodal hub of Kuryk port, which opens up new transport and logistics opportunities for all countries of the region, Azerbaijan including.

"We built a railway along Kazakhstan and 6 automobile crossings, two of which are on the border with China. We built a logistics terminal in Lianyungang Port in the Pacific Ocean and built a modern highway through the whole territory of our country," the Head of State said.

In turn, Ilham Aliyev congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on the opening of the multimodal hub in the Caspian Sea and the great achievements that demonstrate Kazakhstan’s dynamic development.

"I am very glad to visit the land of fraternal Kazakhstan again. For us, Mangistau region is very close, both historically and geographically. The new opportunities of Kuryk port will allow us to cooperate even more closely," the President of Azerbaijan said.

Aliyev said that in May of the current year Azerbaijan opened the port of Alyak, which will ensure full integration of traffic flows, and noted the political and economic benefits of using the transit opportunities of the two countries.

"The Caspian has become the external transport artery. I would particularly like to note your contribution to the consensus on many complex issues. We will strive to ensure that all provisions of the Convention are implemented, and that the Caspian continues to play the role of stabilizer in the region," the President of Azerbaijan stated.

In addition, Nursultan Nazarbayev today met with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

The Head of State thanked the President of the Russian Federation for his active participation in the landmark summit for the Caspian countries, which opens up new opportunities and prospects for cooperation.

"Our bilateral relations are moving in all directions, especially in the sphere of economy, military-technical and space industries. Economic issues are developing dynamically as part of the EAEU," the President of Kazakhstan said.

In turn, Vladimir Putin congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on the results of the Summit of the Caspian states and noted that this event would go down in history as held exactly in Kazakhstan.

"This is a great event, to which we have been going for two decades. After lengthy discussions and arguments, finally, the solution has been found. Undoubtedly, this will contribute to the development of our cooperation in the Caspian region," the President of the Russian Federation said.

Putin noted the growth of mutual trade turnover and expressed confidence that all major projects and programs, including in space, energy and transport, would be further developed, and both countries would achieve good results.

"I would like to thank you for the attention that you personally give to Russian-Kazakh relations," the President of the Russian Federation said.

In addition, the parties discussed the upcoming interregional forum in Petropavlovsk and the CIS Summit in Dushanbe.

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