DUSHANBE, August 5, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon heading high-ranking delegation has departed for Tehran to attend a summit meeting of the presidents of the Persian-speaking countries of Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan that will convene in the Iranian capital today.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, State Adviser to the President for International Affairs Erkin Rahmatulloyev, Minister of Energy and Industries Gul Sherali, Minister of Transport and Communications Olimjon Boboyev and other high-ranking officials are accompanying Rahmon on his visit to Iran.

The leaders of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran are expected to discuss issues related to economic cooperation, establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan, as well as regional problems.  

It is the fourth summit of the three presidents and they are also scheduled to endorse a number of cooperation agreements on the expansion of economic ties and cooperation among the three neighboring nations, Iran’s Fars News Agency quoted Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Ali Asghar Sherdoust as saying.

We will recall that the last trilateral meeting of Emomali Rahmon, Hamid Karzai, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejat took place in Tehran on March 11, 2009.  The three leaders agreed to speed up the implementation of projects on transportation, water/energy, the construction of communication and electricity lines, and cultural exchanges.