Iran, Tajikistan call for enhancement of relations
Press TV-The Islamic Republic of Iran and Tajikistan have underlined the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, industry and energy sectors.
In a meeting with Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Industry Gul Sherali, Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi described the Tehran-Dushanbe ties as being characterized by religious, cultural, civilizational, historical and lingual commonalities.
Salehi also voiced Tehran’s determination to bolster bilateral and multilateral ties with the Central Asian country.
Iran's top diplomat expressed hope that, with the implementation of the agreements between the two countries and with the help of the private and state sectors of both states, Iran and Tajikistan would witness important and effective progress in their relations.
Gul Sherali, who has traveled to Iran to attend the ninth Iran-Tajikistan economic commission, expressed satisfaction over the growing trend of bilateral ties, and urged the speedy execution of bilateral agreements, particularly those on industrial, trade and energy transactions.
The ninth Iran-Tajikistan economic commission opened on Sunday.
The two countries have recently accelerated strengthening their energy and economic cooperation. Iran has signed various agreements in the fields of railroads and the transfer of oil, gas and power with Dushanbe.
Iran signed an agreement with Tajikistan in 2005 to build the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant. The plant is currently being constructed on the Vakhsh River in the Khatlon region, 160 kilometers (99 miles) south of Dushanbe.
The Islamic Republic has also invested $180 million in the hydroelectric project while Tajikistan has allocated $40 million.
When the plant comes on stream, it will be a significant milestone in energy independence for Tajikistan, as the country has been experiencing severe energy shortages since it gained independence in 1991.