DUSHANBE, July 31, 2008, Asia-Plus — An official visit of Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi to Iran is going on.
Davlat Nazriyev, head of the MFA information department, told Asia-Plus that on July 29, Zarifi delivered a statement at the third trilateral ministerial meeting of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Foreign ministers of Iran (Manouchehr Mottaki), Afghanistan (Ranging Dadfar Spanta) and Tajikistan (Hamrokhon Zarifi) discussed cooperation issues and preparations for a summit of heads of state due in Dushanbe this year. The meeting resulted in signing of a cooperation document, the MFA spokesman said.
Tajik minister also attended the 15th Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) ministerial conference that concluded on July 30.
On July 29, Zarifi held talks with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov in Tehran on the sidelines of the 15th NAM ministerial conference. The two discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
On July 30, Zarifi held bilateral talks with his Iranian counterpart Dr. Manouchehr Mottaki and Iran”s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.
Iran’s news agency IRNA quote Mr. Saeed Jalili as saying that Iran plays an undeniable role in regional peace and progress, so its capacity can be a chance for Shanghai treaty. Jalili told Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi that Tehran and Dushanbe should upgrade cooperation with regards to their historical and cultural commonalities.
He also urged multilateral cooperation in the region, especially among the Persian-speaking countries, and said the capacity should be used for promotion of stability and security in the region. Furthermore, Jalili thanked Dushanbe for its constructive stance towards Iran”s nuclear rights.
Zarifi, for his part, said that Iran and Tajikistan should cooperate closely in connection with Shanghai pact, according to IRNA.
Zarifi started his official four-day visit to Iran on July 29.
