DUSHANBE, February 8, Asia-Plus — On Thursday February 7, Iran’s new Ambassador to Tajikistan Ali Asghar Sher-Doust presented his credentials to President Emomali Rahmon. In the course of the talks the two discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Rahmon, the new Iranian envoy noted that a two-hour meeting had shown that Emomali Rahmon and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad share the same stances on implementation of new joint projects in economic, social and cultural sectors in the near future as well as mutual exchange of Tajik and Iranian specialists.
“Both sides consider commonality of interests as an important circumstance,” said Sher-Doust, “Our peoples sharing common history, culture and language should be together, especially under conditions of globalization.”
According to him, the two countries have jointly done quite a lot, but it is necessary to use the existing potential more efficiently.
“We intend to provide assistance to Tajikistan in development of private sector,” the Iranian ambassador said, adding that it is necessary to develop bilateral trade, which reached $130 million last year.
On the construction of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power station (HPS) in Tajikistan, which funded by the Iranian side, Sher-Doust said that the construction is carried out in accordance with the signed agreement. At request of the Tajik head of state the Iranian president has charged energy minister to speed up implementation of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectricity project and put the facility into operation ahead of the schedule, the Iranian envoy said.
We will recall Iran”s new ambassador arrived in Dushanbe on Saturday
In the meantime, Iran’s news agency IRNA reported that Ali Asghar Sher-Doust yesterday also met with Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi to present him a copy of his credentials.
During the meeting, the Iranian ambassador said Iran is ready to broaden all-out cooperation with Tajikistan and help the country run joint economic projects in the country.
According to him, Iran attaches importance to expansion of ties with Tajikistan, he said, adding that during his tenure, the Iranian embassy will try to speed up implementation of key projects in Tajikistan.
The Tajik foreign minister, for his part, said his country has given priorities to bolstering relations with Iran, adding that Tajikistan attaches significant importance to expansion of ties with Iran in view of common language and cultural similarities. Highlighting Iran”s significant role in implementing big projects in Tajikistan, he called for swift completion of Sangtuda-2 power plant.
