DUSHANBE, March 26, 2012, Asia-Plus -- State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan were the focus of meeting of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai that took place here on March 24.

In the course of the talks, Rahmon assured Karzai that Tajikistan will make its feasible contribution to establishment of political and socioeconomic stability in Afghanistan, Tajik president’s official website reports.

Tajik president noted that international community must provide assistance to Afghanistan after 2014 as well.

He also noted that introduction of the 220 kV power transmission line from Sangtuda in Tajikistan to Pul-i Khumri in Afghanistan would allow increasing power deliveries to Afghanistan.  President Rahmon noted that this year’s electricity deliveries to Afghanistan would reach 700 megawatt/hour.

Last year, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Afghanistan reportedly increased several times as compared with 2010, reaching 200 million U.S. dollars.  This year, trade between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is expected to reach 250-300 million U.S. dollars.