Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President of Iran, announced during a meeting with Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan, that the trade volume between the two countries has increased by 50% in recent months. This growth has occurred despite Iran facing economic challenges and international sanctions. Aref emphasized the need to utilize the cultural and historical capacities of both countries to strengthen relations.
Mutual Trade and Economic Cooperation
Aref, referring to the deep civilizational ties between Iran and Tajikistan, said: "Despite all obstacles, including the imposed war against Iran, we have witnessed a 50% increase in the volume of bilateral trade compared to the same period last year." He also pointed to the high potential for economic cooperation between the two countries and called for the utilization of existing opportunities to develop these relations.
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South Pars - Afghanistan - Tajikistan Energy Corridor
During this meeting, Aref announced Iran's readiness to cooperate with Tajikistan in the fields of oil and gas exploration, petrochemical industries, and the export of oil and gas products. He evaluated Rahmon's proposed plan for establishing the South Pars - Afghanistan - Tajikistan energy corridor as positive and constructive, emphasizing that this plan will help develop trilateral cooperation between Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. Aref also highlighted the importance of exporting Iranian oil products to Tajikistan and assisting in connecting this country to the open waters of the Persian Gulf.
In this context, both sides emphasized the necessity of strengthening cooperation in scientific, technological, cultural, and tourism fields and called for the establishment of a joint technology center between Iran and Tajikistan.
Utilizing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Capacity
Aref, referring to the capacities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, stated: "This organization can strengthen regional security and stability links through economic development and increased connectivity among member countries." He also emphasized the need to utilize this capacity to expand cooperation in trade, transit, energy, and infrastructure connectivity. Aref and Rahmon stressed the necessity of greater coordination between the two countries in addressing common regional issues during this meeting.
Finally, both sides emphasized the preservation of Iranian culture and civilization and the shared heritage of Persian speakers, stressing the formation of a high committee for the Persian language, culture, and literature, the establishment of an Aryan civilization center, and the revival of the Niyakan alphabet in Tajikistan.
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