DUSHANBE, November 28, 2008, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon who is on a two-day visit to Iran, yesterday met with his Iranian counterpart, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in Tehran to discuss state and prospects of further expansion bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran, according to presidential press service.
At first, the two leaders held one – to – one talks and continued the talks later in an enlarged format with participation of members of the government delegations of the two countries.
The presidents highly appraised the present level of cooperation between the two countries in different areas.
President Rahmon noted that Tajikistan attached significance to it cooperation with Iran as its strategic partner. However, the Tajik leader noted the pace of development Tajik-Iranian economic relations, in particular the pace of construction of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in Tajikistan, could not be called satisfactory.
Acceleration of work on completion of the construction of Istiqlol Tunnel and the beginning of the work on construction of the Chormaghzak Tunnel as well as designing of the Shurob HPP in southern Tajikistan were called important, the press service said.
Confirming their interest in construction of power grip, railroad and highway linking Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran, the sides pointed to the necessity of speeding those works.
During the meeting, it was noted that Kyrgyzstan, China and other interested countries could join implementation of joint projects of Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan for development of water-and-energy resources in the Central Asian region and construction of the railroad and the highway.
Rahmon and Ahmadinejad also discussed issues related to launching a number of joint ventures in Tajikistan for repairing rail cars, casting metals, producing energy-saving light bulbs, as well as establishing joint seismological and one large traded center.
The two also agreed that relevant bodies of the countries should also establish close cooperation on creation and development of free economic zones (FEZs) in Tajikistan.
Rahmon and Ahmadinejad also considered ways to promote further expansion of educational scientific and cultural cooperation and exchanged views on a joint approach to settling problems within the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and other regional and international organizations.
