DUSHANBE, August 15, Asia-Plus — Outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Nasser Sarmad-Parsa has said Iranian-Tajik ties are expanding and that bilateral relations will reach greater heights in the near future.
Yesterday, Nasser Sarmad-Parsa conferred with President Emomali Rahmonov at the end of his tenure to Tajikistan. Their talks focused on a broad range of issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran, presidential press service reported.
The source says the two hailed a high level of cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran both in bilateral and regional formats and expressed satisfaction with agreements reached during Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s visit to Tajikistan. During the meeting Rahmonov and Sarmad-Parsa also discussed international issues being of mutual interest.
President Rahmonov terms the completion of the construction of the Anzob tunnel and Iran’s intention to construct Santuda-2 hydropower plant, Chormaghzak tunnel and other facilities as an example of expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries
Iranian diplomat, for his part, noted that he would undertake efforts to promote further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan.
In the meantime, IRNA reports that speaking at a farewell gathering late Friday attended by fellow diplomats, Nasser Sarmad-Parsa said Iran has taken long strides toward enhancement of ties with Tajikistan in the economic, cultural and political fields. “Presidents of the two countries have exchanged visits five times in the past four years which indicate the strong determination of both sides to have greater cooperation,” he said.
Referring to the completion of infrastructure projects in the energy and transportation sectors of Tajikistan by Iranian private contractors, Sarmad-Parsa added that agreements have been concluded between the two countries for launching new projects.
He praised the diplomatic corps as well as the government of Tajikistan for their cooperation with him during his tenure, and said Iran”s foreign policy favors greater participation of the country in construction and development of Tajikistan.
A newly appointed ambassador will replace Sarmad-Parsa, who has completed his four-year mission.
