“For the past century, about seven thousand Kazakhs have lived in Golestan Province. I thank the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, senior officials, and the people of Golestan for treating our compatriots as Iranian citizens throughout all these years,” said Ontalap Onalbayev, speaking on Thursday at the third night of the 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture in Gorgan, the capital of Golestan Province.

Onalbayev highlighted the diplomatic relations between the two countries, noting that the first official visit of Iran’s president to Kazakhstan was carried out, which had fruitful and valuable results in the fields of diplomacy, politics, and culture for both nations.

Saying that he has lived in the province for six years, he said, “Golestan Province is a perfect model of peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups and religions. The people of this province are warm-hearted, kind, and hospitable.”

Referring to his country’s foreign policy, he said, “Kazakhstan is an independent country with an independent policy, and it regards Iran as one of its important partners in political and cultural fields.”

He also said, “We have numerous joint protocols and agreements with the Islamic Republic of Iran. There is close friendship between the two countries, and we also support Iran within UNESCO.”

Emphasizing the deep cultural bonds, he said, “About four percent of Kazakh vocabulary has Persian roots,” adding, “From childhood, the people of Kazakhstan are familiar with the poetry of great poets such as Khayyam, Ferdowsi, Rumi, Saadi, and Hafez; just as the people of Iran are well acquainted with Farabi. This cultural connection has thousand-year-old roots.”

He concluded, “Next year, valuable joint cultural programs and projects will be implemented between Iran and Kazakhstan.”