DUSHANBE, March 26, 2011, Asia-Plus – On Friday March 25, Shukurjon Zuhurov, Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament), received visiting Iran''s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyed Mohammad Hosseini.

According to Iran’s news agency, IRNA, Tajik parliament underlined necessity of expansion of cultural cooperation and added that when hearts get close to each other, confidence spreads and causes development of cooperation in other fields, too.

Zuhurov expressed pleasure that the eldest tradition of common history, Navrouz festivity, has been internationally recognized by the United Nations and said that it is a matter of honor and happiness for every Tajik and Iranian.

He reminded that after independence, Iran was among the first countries which recognized Tajikistan''s independence and established diplomatic relations and more than 70 cooperation documents have been signed between the two countries so far.

Decision of the presidents of Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan to construct railway with cooperation of China was an important decision as well as development of an electricity transfer line, Zuhurov noted.

He called Iran as the most strategic partner for Tajikistan in the region and world and said that promotion of friendly ties with Iran will consolidate Tajikistan stance in the world community, IRNA reports.

He also referred to expanding parliamentary ties between the two countries and said that several visits that were made by parliamentary delegations last year had an effective role in exchanging experiences among parliament deputies of both countries and strengthened mutual cooperation.

Seyed Mohammad Hosseini handed over written message of Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani to Shukurjon Zuhurov.

Hosseini said that the two countries have warm relations and Iranian president has always insisted that political and economic ties should expand.

He also presented a report on holding Iran''s cultural week in Tajikistan.  Referring to cultural commonalities between Iran and Tajikistan and broadcasting Iranian movies on Tajikistan television, he appreciated extensive cooperation of Tajikistan Ministry of Culture to hold Iran''s cultural week here.

He also called for joint cooperation in the fields of publication of periodicals and joint researches and expressed readiness to make joint movies.

Hosseini underlined that personalities like Kamal Khujandi and Mir Seyed Ali Hamadani are known in Islamic world and joint movies could be made on such characters.