Iran interested in expanding trilateral cooperation with Afghanistan, Tajikistan — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref says his country is interested in expanding trilateral cooperation with Afghanistan and Tajikistan, adding that suitable capacities exist. Aref made the remarks at a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of a meeting of prime ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states in Dushanbe, Mehr News Agency reported. Aref described Rahmon’s proposed South Pars–Afghanistan–Tajikistan energy corridor as a highly positive and constructive initiative. He said Iran and Tajikistan could strengthen cooperation within the SCO framework on transit corridors, border security, combating drug trafficking and developments in Afghanistan. He also stressed the importance of cooperation in oil and gas exploration, the petrochemical industry, exports of oil and gas products, and connecting Tajikistan to the open waters of the Persian Gulf.