DUSHANBE, August 22, Asia-Plus — Iranian specialists have expressed readiness to assist their Tajik counterparts with restoring ancient manuscripts and cultural relics.

This was remarked at a meeting of researchers of Tajikistan’s Institute of Oriental and Written Heritage with visiting Iranian delegation led by Majid Baqai, deputy head of Iran''s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) that was held in Dushanbe at the end of last week.

Ali Reza Arasteh, Press Attaché at the Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe, said in an interview with Asia-Plus that the meeting had primarily focused on restoration of ancient manuscripts, which are of great historic and cultural significance for the peoples of the two countries.   

ICHTO specialists have offered to restore the manuscripts in Iran.  However, the Tajik side has declined the offer on grounds that the manuscripts are of great historical importance and could be damaged during transportation.

More than 5,000 manuscripts are no kept at the Tajik Institute of Oriental Studies and Written Heritage.

Tajik specialists noted that could restore the manuscripts by themselves and asked their Iranian colleagues for help in purchasing special restoration equipment in Iran.    

The meeting participants also discussed the possibility of launching a joint venture in Tajikistan on restoring and preserving cultural and historical relics.