Need to Utilize Potential for Better Tehran-Dushanbe Ties

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said there is great potential to enhance relations between Iran and Tajikistan, which needs to be utilized to the benefit of the two nations.
“The potential for expanding cooperation between the two countries is much greater that the current level of ties, and in view of the Iranian government’s policy of upgrading relations with neighbors, the relationship has to be transformed,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Tehran on Monday, according to Leader.ir. 
“This trip [by the Tajik president to Iran] signifies the government’s efforts to uplift ties with Tajikistan, and although the level of relations has improved over the past year, it is far from the desirable point,” he stressed.
Rahmon said he has held good negotiations in Tehran on various issues, including commercial, economic and industrial relations, expressing hope that the agreements signed during the trip would help give a boost to mutual cooperation. 
Earlier in the day, Tehran and Dushanbe signed 17 memorandums of understanding in a variety of sectors. 
The agreements involved politics, economy, trade, transit, investment, modern technologies, environment, energy, judicial services, education, research and tourism, President.ir reported. 
Ministers of foreign affairs, industries, oil, road and urban development, energy, economy, tourism, justice, sports and labor, as well as heads of the Securities and Exchange Organization and the Chamber of Commerce inked the deals with their Tajik counterparts at the presence of the two countries’ presidents. 
Rahmon arrived in Tehran on Sunday for a two-day stay and was officially received by President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday. 
The two presidents held bilateral talks before co-chairing a joint meeting between high-ranking delegations of both sides. 
Speaking at a press conference, Raisi said Iran and Tajikistan have great relations for different reasons, including for being neighbors and having a shared language, culture and religion. 
He said his earlier trip to Tajikistan created a turning point in Tehran-Dushanbe bilateral relations.
Raisi had visited Tajikistan in September 2021 at Rahmon’s invitation for bilateral talks as well as participation in the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. 
Besides signing eight MOUs, Iran’s request for full SCO membership was accepted after 15 years during this visit.
As a result of that visit, trade ties between the two countries have seen a four-fold growth, according to the president, while favorable measures have been taken toward the implementation of other agreements as well. 
He said both countries are determined to seriously improve their bilateral ties in all sectors, which could eventually lead to stronger regional relations.
The Tajik president underlined the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Tehran and Dushanbe, saying practical strategies have helped both countries achieve a high level of constructive cooperation over these years. 
He described Monday’s talks as a continuation of constant efforts to expand relations which were held in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding. 
Good agreements were signed in line with the long-term plan for bilateral cooperation between the two states until 2030, he noted.
“I am certain these MOUs will breathe new life into Tehran-Dushanbe mutual cooperation.”  
Expanding parliamentary relations and cooperation between private sectors will also help deepen mutual ties, according to the Tajik president. 

Shared Views 

Raisi later highlighted Tehran and Dushanbe’s similar views about regional issues, including the presence of foreign forces. 
“The presence of foreigners hasn’t and won’t bring about security, and issues in the region must be resolved through dialogue among these countries’ leaders,” he said. 
The two countries also share the same stance about the issue of Afghanistan, a common neighbor of both Iran and Tajikistan, where an inclusive government needs to be established with the participation of all ethnic and political groups, according to Raisi. 
He voiced concern about terrorist activity in Afghanistan, saying neither Iran nor Tajikistan will tolerate the presence of such groups in that country or any other part of the region. 
“The arrogant powers who reinforce terrorists are only after their own interests and have no concern about the security of Afghans or other regional nations,” he said.
Rahmon also said the current sensitive situation of the region and the world necessitates further cooperation between the two states. 
“Both countries have the same concerns about Afghanistan… We believe that upholding the rights and freedoms of all Afghan people is the key factor in restoring lasting peace and stability in this country.” 
He also said cooperation at bilateral level and within the framework of regional and international organizations can help address common concerns of the two countries.