DUSHANBE, September 26, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, who is currently in New York to attend the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, yesterday participated in a multilateral meeting in New York to discuss regional cooperation in Central Asia.

The Tajik MFA information department says the meeting participants also included Mr. Robert Blake, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Mr. Miroslav Jenca, Head of the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCS), Mr. Kyle Peters, Director, Operations Evaluation Department, World Bank and Ms. Patricia Flor, the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia.

The meeting reportedly discussed issues related to regional cooperation in sectors like transportation, communications and energy as well as implementation of projects of regional significance.

The meeting participants also exchanged views on prospects of socioeconomic development of the region and investment in infrastructure development projects, the source said.

On the same day, Zarifi met in New York with Ambassador Wendy Ruth Sherman, US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

The two reportedly discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States.

Zarifi and Sherman also exchanged views on development of the situation in the region after 2014.  They also considered the ways of involving Afghanistan in implementation of regional projects and programs in sectors like energy and transportation, the source said.

Wendy Ruth Sherman is a United States diplomat, government official, non-profit manager, and adviser to politicians and business.  She currently serves as Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third highest ranking position in the U.S. Department of State.  Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman was sworn in as Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs on September 21, 2011.