Iran discovers Central Asia

Recently, in connection with the forthcoming abolition of sanctions against Iran, a number of Central Asian states have intensified their cooperation with this country. The Kazakh-Iranian business forum is currently being held in Almaty. In addition, this week the business forum ‘Trade with Turkmenistan’ is to take place in Tehran.  

Vestnik Kavkaza interviewed Chief of the Department of Central Asia and Kazakhstan of the Institute of CIS countries, Andrey Grozin, as well as Kazakh political analyst Petr Svoik about the future of Iranian cooperation with the countries of the Central Asian region after the cancellation of sanctions against Iran. 

The head of the Department of Central Asia and Kazakhstan of the Institute of CIS Countries, Andrei Grozin, expressed the opinion that the Central Asian states that either border with Iran, or are related to them by ethno-cultural and linguistic communities will be the first to receive the maximum benefits after the abolition of the sanctions against Iran.

‘‘It is Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. But the most economically developed country in Central Asia is Kazakhstan. This country intends to build up new Kazakh-Iranian economic ties, as it will be beneficial for the economy of Kazakhstan.

Firstly, we mean transit of Kazakh energy resources through swap transactions from Iranian ports, primarily from Bandar Abbas. And secondly, we mean the prospects of the transport partnership.  

Coming out of isolation, Iran is likely to invest significant resources in order to extend a variety of communications with its neighbors and insure against a possible recurrence of attempts to drive Iran into isolation. 

In addition, it is a natural process, as the country will extend its economic partnership in all directions, and this requires a developed transport infrastructure,’’ the expert said.