DUSHANBE , January 3, Asia-Plus - Tajik Ambassador to Tehran Ramazon Mirzoyev said on Saturday [December 31] that visit of Tajik parliamentary delegation to Tehran was positive and that Iran-Tajikistan cooperation on the international issues is expected to expand in 2006, IRNA reported.

He told IRNA that the visit of the speaker of Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) Saydullo Khairulloyev and his entourage to Iran was fruitful for both sides.  "The parliamentarians accompanying Khairulloyev during the tour, referred to it as the most beneficial visit to Iran in 2005 aiming to strengthen mutual ties.  "Their meetings with their Iranian officials and counterparts paved the way for further cooperation and growing trend in relations between the two Persian speaking countries," he added.  The diplomat noted that during the visit, representatives from the Tajik lower chamber of parliament got closely acquainted with the scientific, cultural, economic and political achievements of Iran as well as Majlis, the judicial branch of government and advanced legislation procedure.

Turning to the remarks of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his meeting with the Tajik parliamentary delegation as saying, "Tajiks and Iranians are born from the same mother", he said that the outlook of Iranian president is quite precious to Tajik people.  "In fact, the common culture and language of the two Persian-speaking countries account for preventing any world power from disrupting the growing process of relations between the two nations.

"In addition to presenting economic and cultural assistance to Tajik people and constructing Anzob Tunnel in Tajikistan, Iran will start construction of the Sangtuda hydropower plant and a tunnel in the provincial town," he added.

Meanwhile, Mirzoyev pointed to the tour of the Tajik delegation to the historical monuments of Isfahan and Shiraz as a precious experience.

Saydullo Khairulloyev left Tehran for Dushanbe on December 30.  Khairulloyev was officially seen off at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport by Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel who said Tehran and Dushanbe enjoyed significant relations as the two capitals have lots of cultural common points.

While in Tehran, the Tajik official met with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in addition to his Iranian counterpart Haddad Adel.  Khairulloyev arrived in Tehran on December 24 heading a high-ranking parliamentary delegation upon an official invitation from former Iranian Majlis speaker Mehdi Karroubi.

Speaking to reporters before his departure, the Tajik official said that he held positive talks with Iranian officials on bilateral cooperation on various cultural and parliamentary fields.  He also expressed hope that Tehran-Dushanbe parliamentary relations would be further promoted in the near future.