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Rakhmonov: Tajikistan keen to expand ties with Iran

Iran Materials 6 November 2006 15:42 (UTC +04:00)

(IRNA) - Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov here Monday said that Tajikistan, which shares a common culture and language with Iran and Tajikistan, gives high priority to expansion of mutual ties.

His remarks came as he spoke to reporters after casting his vote in a poll to elect members of Tajikistan's lower house of parliament, reports Trend.

Turning to the rising trend in Iran-Tajikistan relations, he said that his government's policy favors expansion of ties with neighboring states, particularly Iran.

Underlining his country's growing ties with Russia, Rakhmonov said that "bolstering of relations with neighboring countries with which it shares a common language such as Afghanistan, China and Uzbekistan is in Tajikistan's future agenda."

Revealing his plan to run in his country's fourth round of presidential elections, he pointed to the decisive role of Russia in promoting security in Tajikistan, Central Asia and the world at large, and said that no unexpected changes have ever taken place in relations between his country and its strategic partner, Russia.

"Despite its favorable relations with world powers, we do not approve of Central Asia's rivalry against these powerful states," Russia in particular, he added.

Rakhmonov referred to international terrorism, drug smuggling and establishment of stability and security in Afghanistan as the major areas of concern of Tajikistan in its relations with various world states.

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