DUSHANBE
, January 17, Asia-Plus / – Monday afternoon, Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov left for
Tehran
atop a high-ranking delegation. Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov, State Adviser for the Tajik President for International Matters Erkin Rahmatulloyev, Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov, Economy and Trade Minister Hakim Soliyev and Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan Murodali Alimardonov are accompanying him on this trip to
Iran
, according to presidential press service.
On January 16, President Rahmonov told journalists in
Dushanbe
that he was going to pay an official visit to
Tehran
, where three Tajik ministers have worked for more than a week and prepared a package of documents. According to the president, the negotiations in
Tehran
are aiming to discuss the construction of Sangtuda-2 hydropower plant and the Shahriston tunnel in
Tajikistan
. “We intend to discuss in
Iran
the issues related to restructuring
Tajikistan
’s debt to
Iran
as well the issues of transport communications and the construction of the Anzob tunnel,” President Rahmonov said.
During his two-day visit to
Tehran
, Rahmonov is attending a conference on Iran-Tajikistan economic cooperation and hold talks with Iranian officials. Rahmonov”s visit is taking place at the invitation of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Upon arrival at Mehrabad international airport President Rahmonov was welcomed by Iranian Commerce Minister Massoud Mir-Kazemi upon arrival at
Mehrabad
International
Airport
but an official welcome ceremony also awaits him in the presence of President Ahmadinejad on Tuesday.
During his stay here, Rahmonov is scheduled to meet with President Ahmadinejad, Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. The two sides are expected to discuss bilateral, regional and international developments.
A trade turnover between
Tajikistan
and
Iran
in 2005 amounted to US$130 million.
Tajikistan
”s main exports to
Iran
were aluminum and cotton while its imports were mainly edible oil, foodstuff, chemicals, industrial and agricultural machineries, electric devices and detergents.
Iran
has participated in
Tajikistan
”s development through investment in the country, particularly in the construction of the Anzob tunnel and Sangtuda-2 power plant.
Political experts predict the visit by Rahmonov to
Iran
would open a new chapter in economic and infrastructure cooperation between
Tehran
and
Dushanbe
.
