Nine Protocols Signed by Presidents Khatami, Rahmanov
Iran's President Mohammad Khatami and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmonov here on Tuesday inked a statement, which called for amicable ties between the two countries.
The statement draws up the framework for expansion of bilateral relations and cooperation.
Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and Tajik Minister of Economy and Foreign Economic Relations Hakim Soliyev, too, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that called for implementation of national and infrastructural projects.
Iran's Agricultural Jihad Minister and the Iranian Head of the Tehran-Dushanbe joint economic commission Mahmoud Hojjati and Tajik Minister of Transportation Abdujalol Salimov signed an agreement for cooperation in air transportation.
The Republic of Tajikistan and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of agriculture. Hojjati and his Tajik counterpart Turson Bai Rahmatov were signatories to the document.
Meanwhile, the agreement for Tehran-Dushanbe customs and administrative cooperation and sound implementation of regulations to prevent customs violations was inked by Iran's Minister of Economy and Finance Tahmasb Mazaheri and his Tajik counterpart, Ghulamjan Babayev.
Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mostafa Moeen and Tajik Minister of Education Safarali Rajabov, too, signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of education, research and technology, IRNA reported.
The agreement for bilateral cooperation in the field of anti-narcotics campaign was signed by Iran's Deputy Interior Minister for International Affairs Ali Mohaqqar and Head of Tajikistan's Institute for Campaign Against Narcotic Drugs Rustam Nazirov.
Another deal for mutual commercial cooperation was inked by Hojjati and Saliev.
Cooperation for expansion of tourism was the provision of the ninth agreement signed by Head of Iran's Travel and Tourism Organization Mohammad Mo'ezzodin and saliev.
Tehran and Dushanbe have since Tajikistan's independence ten years ago, signed more than 55 protocols for mutual cooperation.
Conclusion of nine agreements today is expected to lead to promotion of mutual ties at both regional and international levels.
Iran and Tajikistan are now members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
Also on Tuesday, President Khatami and his Tajik counterpart Imamali Rahmanov held talks on bilateral, regional and international issues.
President Khatami expressed pleasure with his visit to Tajikistan and said that Iran and Tajikistan are the two parts of the same body with longstanding culture and civilization.
He said that Iran and Tajikistan have effectively contributed to the flourishing of Islamic civilization adding that it is difficult to distinguish between Iranian and Tajik cultural heritage.
Iranian president said that the two countries are observing mutual respect and non-interference in the domestic affairs of each other and are keen on developing bilateral relations.
"Taking into account the effective role of the two nations in history, Iran and Tajikistan should work hard to better our historical role," President Khatami said.
He said that Iran and Tajikistan have excellent relations and called for making use of all the capacities to boost Tehran-Dushanbe cooperation.
President Khatami appreciated President Rahmanov's peace initiatives which served to establish calm and security in Tajikistan and brought about more tolerance and freedom for all ethnic groups in the republic.
He said that economic cooperation serves to foster peace and stability in the region and called for revival of the old Silk Road while building new East-West transit road linking Iran to Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Khatami said that Iran and Tajikistan would cooperate to alleviate the sufferings of the neighboring nation of Afghanistan adding that they have always stood by the Afghan people and helped them ease their difficulties in the hard times of civil war in Afghanistan.
"Today, Iran and Tajikistan support the Afghan interim administration led by Hamid Karzai so that the two countries should undertake effective part in reconstruction of Afghanistan," he added.
President Khatami noted that Iran and Tajikistan have diverse economic grounds for cooperation and that the current level of trade is not enough. Iran is ready to extend credits for development projects and road building in Tajikistan.
He said that the threats posed by terrorism and drug trafficking are detrimental to the region and the entire humanity adding that the international campaign against terrorism should proceed under the aegis of the United Nations.
Khatami further said that the international campaign against terrorism should not be misused by a certain state.
Iran is ready to extend assistance to Afghanistan to replace poppy cultivation with other crops, he said.
President Rahmanov said that cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan would serve mutual interests and regional peace and stability.
He said Dushanbe is willing to boost cooperation with Tehran in all areas.
Tajik president suggested that Iran and Tajikistan would cooperate to help reinforce peace and stability in Afghanistan and establish a broad-based Afghan government.
Iranian and Tajik officials also held talks on issues of mutual interest.
President Khatami and his entourage arrived in Dushanbe on Tuesday for a three-day visit on the last leg of his Central Asian tour which took him to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.