DUSHANBE, May 10, Asia-Plus — A meeting of Tajik and Iranian entrepreneurs with participation of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his Iranian counterpart, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was held in Tehran on May 9, presidential pres service said.
Addressing the meeting, Emomali Rahmon called on Iranian entrepreneurs to expand cooperation with Tajikistan. Rahmon, in particular, noted that despite many difficulties, an annual growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) in Tajikistan has risen up to 9 percent over the past six years and an external trade turnover of Tajikistan increased 2.5 times in 2001-2006.
The meeting focused on implementation of the Roghun, Shurob and Dashtijum hydroelectricity projects in Tajikistan, as well as infrastructure development programs, including construction of roads, bridges and power-transmission lines, and extraction of oil and natural gas.
During the meeting it was noted that projects aimed at the construction of the railway linking Tajikistan via Afghanistan to Iran and power-transmission line Roghun-Mazor-i Sharif-Hearat-Mashhad as well as the establishment of free economic zones in Tajikistan are of strategic importance.
Participants at the meeting also underlined the importance of establishment of Tajik-Iranian economic council that could participate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy.
After the meeting, Tajik and Iranian officials signed five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and a joint statement on expansion of mutual ties.
The MoUs and statement were inked in presence of Emomali Rahmon and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
An MoU was signed between Iran”s Energy Ministry and Tajik Ministry of Energy and Industries while another one was inked by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and Tajik Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting. .
Tajikistan and Iran also signed an MoU on design and construction of the Chormaghzak tunnel and transportation cooperation.
Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines signed another MoU on bilateral cooperation.
Rahmon and Ahmadinejad signed a joint statement on expansion of bilateral relations.
The statement underlined the need for continuous cooperation between the two states to strengthen peace, stability and security of the region and world. According to the 13-Article statement, the two countries condemned all global threats including various types of terrorism, separatism and extremism. Meanwhile, both countries reiterated the need to promote peace and tranquility based on justice, spirituality and stability. They also declared their readiness for cooperation with each other as well as participation in multilateral projects concerning campaign against all kinds of threats. The two sides also supported the efforts of Afghanistan to establish sustainable peace and stability in this country and urged the need to implement the tripartite Iran-Tajikistan-Afghanistan memorandum of understanding on cooperation in economic fields and campaign against drug trafficking and terrorism. The statement also supported Iran”s call for full membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Speaking to reporters during a ceremony held to officially bid farewell to the Tajik president, Emomali Rahmon and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated the importance of expanding bilateral relations in all fields.
According to Iran’s news agency Irna, Rahmon said his visit to Iran was a turning point in expansion of ties between the two countries. He added that he held very good talks with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the president and other Iranian officials. He said Iran and Tajikistan signed several agreements in different fields including industry, commerce, transportation and energy. Rahmon invited Ahmadinejad to pay a visit to Dushanbe.
