DUSHANBE, March 26, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Saturday (March 26) afternoon, President Emomali Rahmon left Khujand for Tehran to attend Navrouz celebrations.

Tajik presidential spokesman Abdufattoh Sharipov told Asia-Plus that during the visit Rahmon will hold bilateral talks with presidents of Iran (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad), Afghanistan (Hamid Karzai) and Iraq (Jalal Talabani).

In the course of the talks, the sides are expected to discuss issues related to cooperation in sectors like trade, agriculture, transportation infrastructure and energy.

According to Iranian media outlets, presidents of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Iraq will attend World Navrouz Festival in Iran.  Director General of the International Affairs Department at the office in charge of organizing the World Navrouz Festival Mohammad-Reza Forqani was quoted as saying that Kyrgyz deputy prime minister, Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Omani Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah and an Azeri official will also attend the event.

On the sidelines of the festival, the countries’ officials will meet with Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, giving speeches on Navrouz, Forqani said, adding that Navrouz Commemoration Secretariat will also be opened on the sidelines of the festival.

IRNA reported on March 26 that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will inaugurate the second global Navrouz celebrations on Sunday.

Organized by the Presidential Office, Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and Foreign Ministry of Iran, the celebrations will include special programs and various performances by Iranian and foreign artists.

The participating delegates will also help compile Navrouz Charter which will be later presented to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for registration.

The first World Navrouz Festival was held in Iran on March 27, 2010.