ALMATY, Kazakhstan (IRNA) -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi met with a group of scholars of the Kazakhstan Strategic Studies Center headed by Bulat Soltanov here late Friday.

Briefing the group on the latest developments in Iran's peaceful nuclear energy program, he stressed that Iran is ready to negotiate with countries that recognize its right to access peaceful nuclear know-how.

"Our Institute for Political and International Studies will support the establishment of relations between Iranian research centers and those of Kazakhstan," Araqchi said.

The head of the center which is affiliated to Kazakhstan's Presidential Office, Bulat Soltanov, said it was beyond comprehension that a country in the Middle East like Israel should have access to nuclear energy while others are denied this legal right.

"We will not support countries which do not recognize the right of Iran to have access to nuclear power for peaceful purposes," he stressed.

He further called for holding a joint scientific-applied seminar to discuss the political, economic, social and cultural status of Iran in Almaty.