Dushanbe expected to host the 14th session of Tajik-Iranian economic commission next war

Tajik MFA information department says that in the course of the talks, the two discussed issues related to expansion of bilateral sectoral cooperation in the light of preparations for the 14th session of the Tajik-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Technical and Cultural Cooperation, which is scheduled for the first half of June this year.

Co-chaired by Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Usmonali Usmonzoda and Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian, the 13th session of Tajikistan-Iran Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation took place in Tehran on December 2-3, 2019.  

The parties discussed the issues of expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in the fields of economy and commerce, science, education, culture, sports, and health.  The session ended with signing of a protocol.  

Relations between Tajikistan and Iran have come under strain after officials in Tehran invited Muhiddin Kabiri, who chairs the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) banned in Tajikistan, to an international Islamic conference in December 2015.  In 2014, Iran was Tajikistan’s third-largest trade partner with trade turnover amounting to about US$200 million, but due to a relationship crisis, the figures dropped to US$60-70 million in 2015.

In 2019, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani paid a visit to Tajikistan, signaling thaw of relations between the two countries.

On March 29 this year, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met in Dushanbe with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the regional conference themed “Heart of Asia –Istanbul Process.”  The Tajik president’s official website says the construction of the Istiqlol Tunnel was recognized as one of the positive examples of the bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran.  In connection with the aggravation of geopolitical and geostrategic competition, the growing threats and challenges to security and the situation in Afghanistan, it was found necessary to take joint measures to prevent terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.  The two sides also discussed other areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas such as economy, trade, energy, industry, transportation, science and culture.  On March 30, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin.  The two discussed the ways to develop bilateral cooperation.

Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo visited Tehran in early April to discuss cooperation with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier-General Amir Hatami and Major-General Mohammad Baqeri, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran.