DUSHANBE, December 13, 2012, Asia-Plus – On Wednesday December 12, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi received Finland’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Tuula Yrjola.

Oliy Kantana (phonetically spelled), Head, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Division, Finnish MFA reportedly also attended the meeting.

The sides expressed satisfaction with increasing dynamics of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Finland in sectors like geology and border control management, according to the Tajik MFA information department.

In the course of the talks, Tajik minister pointed to the necessity of developing economic relations between the two countries.  Zarifi, in particular, offered to expand legal foundation of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Zarifi and Yrjola also agreed that it is necessary to strengthen direct contacts between representatives of Tajik and Finnish business communities.

The sides also exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues, including the current situation in Afghanistan in light of the upcoming withdrawal of NAO forces from there, the source added.