DUSHANBE, February 24, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon will receive Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland, who is the United States Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, today.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, the sides are expected to discuss issues related to providing regional security in Central Asia and the current situation in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland last Friday (February 21) met with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov.

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

Aslov and Hoagland, in particular, discussed the forthcoming political consultations, prospects of development of Afghanistan and some other issues being of mutual interest, the Tajik MFA information department said.

Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland has been Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs since October 2013.

Before returning to Washington in September 2013, Ambassador Hoagland spent a decade in South and Central Asia. He was U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Pakistan (2011-2013), U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan (2008-2011), and U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan (2003-2006). He also served as U.S. Charge d''affaires to Turkmenistan (2007-2008). Prior to his diplomatic assignments in Central Asia, Ambassador Hoagland was Director of the Office of Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs in the Bureau of Europe and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State (June 2001-2003).