DUSHANBE, December 29, 2009, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon yesterday received Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan, Ali Asgar Sherdoust.

According to presidential press service, state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran was the focus of the meeting.

The two, in particular, considered issues related to implementation of a number of joint economic projects in Tajikistan and acceleration of construction of the Sungtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) on the Vakhsh River.

In the meantime, Iran’s Fars News Agency (FNA) reported on December 28 that President Emomali Rahmon described Iran as the closest friend of his country.

“We assume all-out cooperation with Iran as a priority for ourselves and actually view Iran as the closest country to us," Rahmon said, commenting on the upcoming visit by the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Dushanbe early January, according to FNA.

Rahmon welcomed Ahmadinejad''s trip to Dushanbe, and expressed the hope that it would be the beginning of serious developments in the all-out ties between the two countries.

Also pointing to Iran''s progresses in different fields, he described Iranians as a civilized and progressive nation and owner of advanced technologies.