Iran, Tajikistan call for stronger bilateral ties

Iran and Tajikistan have emphasized their determination to further enhance Tehran-Dushanbe relations in different domains, particularly in the cultural and economic spheres.

In a meeting with visiting Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov in Tehran on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran and Tajikistan “enjoy great potential to boost the level of political, economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.”

The Iranian president further underlined cultural and religious commonalities between the two neighboring nations and said the Islamic Republic is “keen to establish strong relations between Iran and Tajikistan.”

President Rouhani further highlighted various opportunities for business and investment in Iran and Tajikistan, calling for more joint economic projects between the two countries.

The Tajik foreign minister, for his part, called for further expansion of friendly relations between Tehran and Dushanbe, saying his country is making efforts to raise the level of economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

Aslov further conveyed to Rouhani the greetings of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and the country’s people, handing an official invitation to the Iranian president to visit Dushanbe.

The Tajik top diplomat also expressed hope that Rouhani’s future trip to Tajikistan would set the stage for closer relations between Tehran and Dushanbe.

During their talks, President Rouhani and Aslov exchanged views over the latest developments in Central Asia, particularly the situation in war-torn Afghanistan.

Last September, Rouhani met with Rahmon on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. The two presidents stressed the expansion of mutual cooperation and discussed ways of boosting relations between their countries.