Iran, Tajikistan discuss expansion of bilateral ties

Iranian Minister of Economy Ali Tayyebnia and his Tajik counterpart Sharif Rahimzadeh in a meeting in Washington, vowed to further expand bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Tehran and Dushanbe in all fields, particularly in economy and trade. Speaking at his meeting with the Tajik economy minister on the sidelines of annual conference of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington on Monday, Tayyebnia referred to cultural and religious commonalities between Iran and Tajikistan, calling on senior officials of both countries to make use of existing capacities to promote bilateral ties. Tayyebnia called for making legal preparations to facilitate trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and for implementation of the agreements already signed to boost customs cooperation, encourage investment in the other country and avoid double tax system. Rahimzadeh, for his part, hailed the existing bilateral relations between the two brotherly nations, and expressed hope that the relations between Tehran and Dushanbe would be increased through utilizing capacities and potentials of both states. On Sunday, Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov, in a meeting with outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Dushanbe Ali Asqar Sherdoust, underlined his country's enthusiasm for the further expansion of all-out relations with Tehran. Oqilov stressed the importance of Tehran-Dushanbe growing relations in social, economic, cultural and economic fields, mainly in recent years, including involvement of over 200 Iranian companies in construction projects in Tajikistan, and said such cooperation should be continued. He further termed relations between the two friendly countries as exemplary and thanked the Iranian ambassador for his efforts his tenure in Tajikistan. The Tajik prime minister said that today the Tajik government and nation regard Iran as a reliable friendly country. Oqilov hoped for further expansion of bilateral ties between Tehran and Dushanbe during President Hassan Rouhani’s term in office. Iran and Tajikistan have recently accelerated expansion of their ties and cooperation and observers believe that the good achievements gained in area of their mutual cooperation should be deemed as a result of the efforts made by the two countries’ officials.