DUSHANBE, May 21, 2011, Asia-Plus -- On Friday May 20, President Emomali Rahmon received visiting U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Marc Grossman.

According to the presidential press service, state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the United State were discussed during the meeting.

President Rahmon, in particular, noted that Tajikistan considered the United States one of its important strategic partners on international arena and always took efforts to expand long-term mutually beneficial relationships.

Ambassador Grossman, for his part, pointed out an important political role and geographic location of Tajikistan in the Central Asian region and appreciated Tajikistan’s active support for peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan, the source said.

Cooperation between the two countries in promoting establishment of peace in Afghanistan and reconstruction of its economy as well as training of personnel for Afghanistan’s defense and law enforcement authorities were a major topic of the meeting.

The sides were reportedly of one mind that cooperation between the sides in improving economy and wellbeing of the population of the region plays an important role in providing political stability in the region.

The Tajik head of state and the U.S. special envoy expressed readiness to support implementation of strategic projects, in particular those aimed at construction of hydropower plants, power transmission lines as well as highway and rail links promoting strengthening of ties between Central Asia and South Asia.

Rahmon and Grossman also discussed ways to prevent the threat of spread of terrorism, radicalism and drug trafficking out of Afghanistan, declaring for strengthening of control of Tajik-Afghan border.