Iran hails ‘excellent’ political relations with Tajikistan

TEHRAN, June 27 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Wednesday that Iran and Tajikistan enjoyed excellent political relations and called for the expansion of ties between the two neighboring countries in the economic sector as well. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with his Tajik counterpart Hamrokhon Zarifi in Tehran. Salehi added that there were a number of joint economic projects underway such as projects to export Iranian gas and petroleum products and build railways and land routes between the two states. Salehi also praised Tajikistan’s support for Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy in various international meetings. Rohani should decide on next meeting with P5+1 Salehi was also asked to comment on the next meeting between Iran and world powers over the country’s nuclear program. He said that it was incumbent on Iran’s President-elect Hassan Rohani to decide on the date of the next meeting, adding that it was not easy to hold a meeting in the transitional period. Iran has been holding talks with the P5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) over its nuclear program, which the West suspects may be aimed at developing nuclear weapons capability, but Iran insists is purely for peaceful purposes. Tajikistan hails free and fair election in Iran The Tajik foreign minister congratulated the Iranian nation on their participation in what he called free and fair June 14 presidential election and also conveyed Tajik President Emomalii Rahmon’s message of congratulation on Rohani’s election win. He also hailed good relations between three Persian language-speaking countries of Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan and called for the implementation of economic projects between these countries. During the conference, Salehi also congratulated the new Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the fact that the power was transferred to him from his father Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the ruler of Qatar, on Tuesday. He also expressed hope that the new Qatari administration would adopt policies similar to those of Iran on regional major issues, such as the Syrian crisis that would have serious consequences if not dealt with properly, he added. On the same say, the two foreign ministers signed a number of memorandums of understanding.