DUSHANBE, July 29 2008, Asia-Plus — Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi told a press conference in Dushanbe on July 28 that Tajikistan’s relations with a number of Asian countries focused, first of all, on economic cooperation.
According to him, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and China is increasing and over the first six months of this year, it has amounted to $164.542 million, which is 60 percent more than in the same period of last year.
“China is one of the main investors for Tajikistan,” said the minister. “A number of projects aimed at construction of roads, tunnels and power grids are currently being implemented in the country under financial support of China.”
On relations with Iran, Zarifi said that Tajik president’s visit to Tehran had given an impulse to further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran. According to him, Iran has pledged itself to fully complete work on construction of the Istiqilol tunnel and begin construction of the Chormaghzak tunnel this year, and in 2009, it will complete construction of the Sangtuda-2 hydropower plant.
Asked about his upcoming visit to Tehran, Zarifi said that the Tajik delegation will take part in a trilateral ministerial meeting of Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan and attend a conference of non-aligned countries as observer.
He noted that Tajikistan is interested in reestablishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan and development of friendly and mutually beneficial relations with Afghanistan.
He also said that cooperation with Arabic and South Asian countries have expanded over the first six months of this year.
On relations with the European and American countries, the minister said that they have developing dynamically.
