DUSHANBE, March 9, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon received visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi Friday afternoon.

According to the presidential press service, the sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran practically in all fields.

They reportedly noted that the full introduction of the Sangruda-2 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) into operation, the completion of the construction of the Istiqlol Tunnel and the beginning of the construction of the Ayni HPP on the Zarafshon River in northern Tajikistan would be the next firm steps towards expansion of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation between the two friendly countries.

The two also discussed a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interests, including the current situation in Afghanistan and ways to reestablish peaceful life in that country.

Ramon and Salehi also touched upon issues related to International Navrouz Day that will be held in Dushanbe this year and the Fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA V) that will take place in the Tajik capital in late March, the source said.

We will recall that Ali Akbar Salehi’s three-day visit to Tajikistan started last Wednesday night on an official invitation extended by his Tajik counterpart.