The Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Daler Juma has described Iran as one of the country’s most important strategic partners in the region, IRNA reported on April 19.

Juma reportedly made the remarks while meeting with Ali Najafi Khoshrudi, Iran’s Vice President’s Deputy for International and Regional Cooperation, in Dushanbe on Saturday, April 19.  

On the bilateral commerce, the Tajik minister said that the volume of the bilateral trade between the two countries valued US$110.6 million in the first quarter of this year.

This figure reportedly represents an increase of US$33.2 million compared to the same period last year, indicating a positive trend in economic cooperation, he added.

Referring to the upcoming meeting of officials of the two countries in Tehran, he said that this will further accelerate relations by focusing on the fields of energy, economy, and cultural exchanges.

Najafi Khoshrudi, for his part, reportedly also emphasized the need for emphasized the need to pave the way for bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, the two sides stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including science and culture, IRNA says.