Prior to the 15th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday met in the Turkmen capital o Ashgabat with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, according to the Tajik president’s official website.

The parties reportedly discussed state and prospects of further expansion of the bilateral cooperation between their countries.

At the beginning of the talks, Tajik leader, in particular, expressed confidence that implementation of reached agreements would promote expansion of the bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran.

Rahmon and Raisi reportedly outlined sectors like industry, agriculture, hydropower, construction and pharmaceutics as areas which could drive the bilateral trade between the two countries.

They underlined the significant role of the Tajik-Iranian joint intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation   

They reportedly also pointed to the necessity of joining the transportation networks of the two countries, in particular road s and railways of the two countries so that Tajikistan could have access to Iranian seaports.

The parties also discussed a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran within the ECO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). 

Meanwhile, IRNA reports that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Sunday that the growing relations between Tehran and Dushanbe will continue with strong determination.

President Raisi reportedly referred to his participation in the September meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tajikistan, which as he said became a source of development in bilateral cooperation.

Also about the today's ECO summit, the president said it can review the past measures and decide for future relations.

Then, the president elaborated on the Islamic Republic of Iran's stance on Afghanistan and said Tehran has a clear stance on the issue as it welcomes the formation of a real inclusive government that would represent all people and groups in Afghanistan.

He further hoped that Afghan people would decide for their fate.

He went on to say that the terrorist group of Daesh creates insecurity in the region; and the group is trained by the US.

Cooperation will be of benefit to Afghanistan and to the region, the president stressed.

For his part, the Tajik president reportedly said the Afghan government should include all ethnic groups.

Insecurity in Afghanistan is a detriment to the region and the neighboring states, President Rahmon said.

All should make effort to help Afghan people and different groups in the country live in peace, the Tajik president added.

At the end of his remarks, he said that trade exchange between Dushanbe and Tehran would be multiplied in the future.