DUSHANBE, December 9, 2013, Asia-Plus – Tajik Ambassador to Turkey Farrukh Sharipov recently held talks with Mr. Muammer Yerol, the Governor of Konya and Mr. Tahir Akyurek, the Mayor of Metropolitan Municipality of Konya, according to the Tajik MFA information department.

The sides reportedly discussed the process of implementation of the Kulob-Konya sister city protocol that was signed on December 17, 2012 during President Rahmon’s visit to Turkey.

They, in particular, discussed issues related to expansion of bilateral economic, educational and sports cooperation between Kulob and Konya, the source said.

Kulob is a city in Kulob district, Khatlon Province.  Located 203 kilometers southeast of Dushanbe on the Yakhsou River (a right tributary of Panj), it is one of the largest cities in Tajikistan.

Konya is a city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. It is the seventh most populous city in Turkey.  As of 2011, the Konya Metropolitan Municipality had a population close to 1.1 million.  Konya is one of the most economically and industrially developed cities in Turkey.  The city ranks prominently among the Anatolian Tigers. There are a number of industrial parks.  In 2012 Konya''s exports reached 130 countries.  A number of Turkish industrial conglomerates have their headquarters in Konya.