DUSHANBE, May 22, Asia-Plus - State and prospects of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan wee discussed at a meeting of President Emomali Rahmon with the First Deputy Italy Foreign Minister, Gianni Vernetti, in Dushanbe today.

According to presidential press service, in the course of the talks Tajik head of state hailed the present level of cooperation between Tajikistan and Italy and called for further expansion of it.  

During the meeting it was noted that a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Italy over the first quarter of the year has amounted to more than $30 million, while during the whole year of 2006, the trade between the two countries amounted to $77 million.  

The sides also discussed international and regional issues being of mutual interest. 

Gianni Vernetti expressed his country’s readiness to invest in the most significant projects in Tajikistan, presidential press service said.