DUSHANBE, June 18, Asia-Plus  -- State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States were a focus of meeting of Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi with visiting Deputy Assistance Secretary for South ad Central Affairs, Mr. George Krol, that was held in Dushanbe on June 16, according to the Tajik MFA.  

In the course of the talks, the two discussed a broad range of issues related to bilateral cooperation between the two countries as well as regional and international issues being of mutual interest.

During the meeting it was noted that there is considerable unused potential for expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States.  

Zarifi and Krol expressed hope that the fourth meeting of the Central Asian Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council will be the next step towards expansion of regional trade and economic cooperation.

Mr. Krol arrived in Tajikistan  to participate at the fourth two-day meeting of the Central Asian TIFA Council that opened in Dushanbe on June 17.    

The goals for the fourth meeting of the Central Asia TIFA council are to foster grater regional cooperation, develop joint activities to expand trade and development, and increase involvement of the private sector.