DUSHANBE, January 24, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi met with visiting United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Kai Elide, here on January 23 to discuss cooperation issues, according to the MFA information department.

Prospects of cooperation between Tajikistan and UN offices in Afghanistan were a major topic of the talks.  The sides, in particular, exchanged views on issues related to further strengthening of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region as a whole, expansion of economic, energy and transportation cooperation as well as interaction in combating drug trafficking and strengthening the border control.

Mr. Eide noted that the United Nations declared for creation of necessary conditions for participation of neighboring countries in economic projects in Afghanistan.

For his part, Mr. Zarifi stressed that the Tajik government was ready to provide its potentials to support implementation of economic and social programs in Afghanistan.

In the course of the talks, the two also expressed readiness to expand long-term cooperation being of mutual interest, the MFA information department said.