DUSHANBE, July 21, Asia-plus — Issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in the fields of education, science and culture were discussed at a meeting of President Emomali Rahmon with visiting Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mohammad-Mehdi Zahedi in Dushanbe on July 20.
After a meeting with President Rahmon, Zahedi told journalists that the present level of political and economic relations between the two countries could give a new impulse to further development of scientific and cultural cooperation.
“Iran is ready to assist Tajikistan with training of skilled specialists for Tajikistan at higher educational institutions in Iran,” the minister said.
Reminding that at present 50 Tajik students are studying at higher educational institutions in Iran, Zahedi stressed that during this academic year, Iran will allot Tajikistan additional quota of 50 students.
“We attach a significant importance to the issue of access of specialists to study of common heritage of our common ancestors,” Iran’s minister said, noting that many works by them have still remained unstudied.
Tajik Education Minister Abdujabbor Rahmonov and the Tajik National Academy of Sciences President Mamadsho Ilolov also attended President Rahmon’s meeting with Zahedi.
The same day, Iran’s minister of science, research and technology met with a number of the chancellors and professors of Tajik universities at Tajik Agricultural University in Dushanbe. The meeting focused on issues f expansion of scientific and educational cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran. Zahedi elaborated on progress and expansion of Iran”s scientific, research and academic centers. He also expressed his ministry”s readiness for cooperation with Tajik universities in the fields of agriculture and research as well as in information sharing. Iran’s minister urged exchange of visits by Iranian and Tajik experts and scientists as a means for broader bilateral ties.
On July 20, Tajik Education Minister Abdujabbor Rahmonov and Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mohammad-Mehdi Zahedi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two ministries.
After the meeting a news conference for local and foreign journalists was held.
Iran”s Minister of Science, Research and Technology arrived in Dushanbe for a three-day visit on Thursday, July 19.
