The visiting Tajik president Emomali Rahmon met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, May 8.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Leader described the solidarity among Persian-speaking countries as a major factor boosting the internal power of those countries.
Ayatollah Khamenei also hinted at the deep-rooted cultural and historical bonds between Iran and Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
"The inherent and internal power of nations is the major factor contributing to their progress and sovereignty, and the solidarity among the countries which share many commonalities in terms of religion, culture, history and civilization will boost their internal power," Ayatollah Khamenei told the Tajik president.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic described the noble religion of Islam as preparing the ground for the unity of Islamic countries. He added that if the unity of the Islamic world is materialized, the Muslim ummah will be able to benefit from its great internal ability for the purpose of promoting its progress and development and raising its international status.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the ample potential for the expansion of relations between Iran and Tajikistan.
"Tajikistan is an inseparable part of the Iranian culture, and the strengthening of ties with the cordial and brotherly nation of Tajikistan is among the principled policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Tajik president Emomali Rahmon, for his part, described the progress and prosperity and power of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a cause of honor for all Muslim nations.
"The enemies of Islam and the Islamic Republic do not want the regional countries and the Islamic world to expand their relations with Iran. However, Iran's achievements and its unifying policies are beneficial to and a source of pride for the region and the Islamic world," the Tajik president told the Leader.
President Rahmon further expressed his gratitude for the increasing investment that is being made and the various projects that are being carried out by Iranians in his country. He added that the expansion of commercial ties, in particular the joining of Iran and Afghanistan and Tajikistan through the railway, will prove greatly advantageous to Central Asia and even China because of facilitating their access to the Persian Gulf and the high seas.