DUSHANBE, March 26, 2012, Asia-Plus — In the evening of March 25, the first quadrilateral meeting of the Presidents of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan was held in Dushanbe, the Tajik presidential press service reports.
Issues related to political cooperation, joint efforts to address modern threats and challenges as well as enhance socioeconomic, investment and innovation relations were the focus of the meeting that was presided over by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
The Tajik head of state, with reference to enhancement of the role of four countries in the region, Islamic world and at the international level, pointed to the necessity of establishing mutually beneficial quadrilateral relations.
It was noted that Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan should take efforts to construct modern network of power, gas, and pure drinking water supply, railways and motor roads.
The construction of hydropower plants in Tajikistan and the supply of cheap electricity to the interested countries was evaluated as of infinite benefit.
The meeting participants also considered it necessary to intensify work on assessment and construction of rail link connecting, China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan and connection of it to relevant networks of Iran and Pakistan, the source said.
The heads of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan supported the proposal of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on the establishment of Economic, Cultural and Security Forum of the Four Countries, as well as expressed interest in the organization and expansion of mutually beneficial relations.
