DUSHANBE, May 20, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- On Monday May 16, a ceremony of opening of Tajikistan Park took place in the city of Karaj, administrative center of Iran’s Alborz province.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the ceremony was attended by Tajik Ambassador to Iran Davlatali Hotamov and Karaj Mayor Seyyed Ali Aqazadeh.  A total area of this park is reportedly two hectares; the first stage of construction works has been completed and the second stage is expected to be completed until the end of the year.

After the park-opening ceremony, Davlatali Hotamov and Seyyed Ali Aqazadeh gave a news conference.  Issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as development of the park with due regard to Tajik traditions were discussed at the news conference, the source said.

In the meantime, Iranian news agency, IRNA, reports Tajik ambassador said in Karaj Monday evening that shared religious, linguistic and racial factors between Iranian and Tajik nations contribute to deepening of bilateral ties.  “Today Tajikistan is in need of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s greater cooperation, particularly for making investments there by Alborz province investors,” Hotamov quoted as saying.  Hotamov reportedly referred to the need for the establishment of a joint economic common market between the two countries as a bare necessity, arguing, “Tajikistan with its rich resources and great potentials can be a very good partner with the Islamic Republic of Iran, relying on the technical capabilities of the Iranian experts.”

“Today 120 students from my country are studying at various academic centers of Iran,” said Tajik diplomat, “There are also a number of Iranian students studying at Tajikistan’s universities, and this shows close cooperation between the two countries’ academic centers.”

He appreciated the officials of Alborz province for the decision to nominate a vast park in Karaj after Tajikistan, arguing, “In very near future one of the beautiful landscapes of Tajikistan, too, would be name either Karaj, or Alborz.”