Iran, Tajikistan agree on need for foreign troops’ withdrawal from region: President Raeisi

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Islamic Republic and Tajikistan share common views on regional issues and agree on the need for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the region as they will not ensure the establishment of security and stability there.

“Iran and Tajikistan have common views on regional issues, including the withdrawal of foreign forces,” Raeisi said in a joint press conference with his visiting Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in the capital Tehran on Monday.

“We believe that the presence of foreigners in the region has not and will not provide security in any way,” he said.

The Iranian president noted that regional countries need to resolve their issues through dialog, adding that “the presence of foreigners in the region is not helpful.”

Iran, Tajikistan stress need to boost cooperation in fighting terrorism, securing borders

Iran

The Iranian president also called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, which would represent all political groups and ethnicities there, stating that Tehran and Dushanbe attach great significance to the security of Afghanistan.

“Security, stability, and tranquility must be established for the Afghan people. The presence of terrorists in Afghanistan is very worrying, and we can accept the presence of terrorists neither in Afghanistan nor anywhere else in the region,” Raeisi said.

“We believe that foreigners and agents affiliated to the global arrogant powers are nurturing Daesh [terrorist] group in the region in pursuit of their own political goals and interests,” he stated. “The presence of the US and NATO in Afghanistan for twenty years has yielded nothing other than war, bloodshed, and destruction. The future of Afghanistan must be decided by the people of the country itself.”

Iran, Tajikistan hope to open new chapter in ties under President Raeisi

President Ebrahim Raisi has called for Iran and Tajikistan to expand their relations, saying this will pave the way for regional cooperation.

Raeisi went on to say that Tehran and Dushanbe share common views on the fight against narcotics, terrorism, and organized crime, expressing hopes that bilateral cooperation would contribute to the establishment of security in the region.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Raeisi said the trade volume between Iran and Tajikistan has increased fourfold and that the two countries are determined to expand their political, economic, trade, and cultural relations, as well as ties in various fields of energy, tourism, mining, science, and technology.

Rahmon, for his part, said new documents were signed on Monday for bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in various fields.

“We had constructive talks on enhancement of understanding between the two sides. We agreed to expand cooperation among our free trade and industrial zones. We welcome expansion of transportation through Iran's southern Bandar Abbas and Chabahar ports,” he said.

The Tajik president also underscored that Dushanbe supports any efforts to maintain security in Afghanistan.

On the sidelines of the two president’s meeting, Iran and Tajikistan signed 17 agreements and memorandums of understanding to boost cooperation in a variety of fields, including economy, trade, energy, tourism, science, sports, and transportation as well as industries and new technologies.

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