DUSHANBE, July 20, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani has stressed the need for the further expansion of bilateral ties with Tajikistan, saying diplomatic relations and cooperation between Tehran and Dushanbe will bolster in diverse areas under his administration, Press TV (a 24-hour English language news organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran) reported on July 19.

In response to a congratulatory message from Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, the Iranian president-elect reportedly stressed the need for the further enhancement of all-out relations with the Persian-speaking country.

“Relation with Tajikistan has always been of particular importance to the Iranian nation and government, and has roots in the culture, customs, traditions and language shared by both countries,” Rohani wrote in his message.

He added, “Such affinities will certainly guarantee a much brighter future for all-out relations between Iran and Tajikistan.”

Rohani won 50.7 percent of the vote to secure an outright victory. In the Iranian system, if no presidential candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the two top candidates must face off in a run-off election.

Nearly 50.5 million Iranians, including more than 1.6 million first-time voters, were eligible to participate in the June 14 presidential election. The Interior Ministry put the voter turnout at 72.7 percent.

Rohani currently represents Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in the Supreme National Security Council and is also a member of the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts. He is also the director of the Expediency Council''s Center for Strategic Research.