DUSHANBE, July 6, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- On Thursday July 5, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon received an US Congressional delegation, led by the member of the House of Representatives Den Barton, Tajik president’s official website reported.

In the course of the talks, the sides reportedly discussed ways to expand political, economic, trade and investment cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States.

Mr. Den Barton, in particular, noted that Tajikistan is an important country in Central Asia and it plays a key role in providing regional security, the source said.

He also noted that the visit of the U.S. congressmen to Tajikistan, which was carried out for the first time, was evidence of his country’s interest in expansion of cooperation with Tajikistan.

It was stressed that the United States would continue providing technical assistance to defense and security structures of Tajikistan, especially to border guards and counternarcotics agencies.  Assistance to the relevant structures of Tajikistan will be increased after the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2014.

Representatives of the US Congress also noted that their country will support Tajikistan’s desire to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), the source added.

The reportedly sides also discussed a number of regional issues being of mutual interest.