Visiting Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov and his accompanying delegation called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, January 18.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader described the Iranian nation and officials as the genuine friends of the people of Tajikistan. He stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran would withhold no assistance conducive to the progress and prosperity of the Tajik nation.
Ayatollah Khamenei further referred to the cultural, religious and historical features shared by the Iranian and Tajik nations, especially their common language.
"One of the major duties that should be performed by the three Persian-speaking countries of Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan with the intention of boosting their international status is to preserve and promote the Persian language," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
The Leader noted that the emotional bonds between the Iranian and Tajik nations, similar to political and economic factors, are instrumental in the further expansion and deepening of cooperation between the two countries in all spheres of activity.
He emphasized that, in order for the expansion of mutual cooperation to be materialized, the agreements and memorandums of understanding reached between the two sides should be carried into effect and thoroughly followed up.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the scientific achievements of the Islamic Republic in various areas and stated that it is possible to admit Tajik students to Iranian universities and provide specialized training to Tajik researchers and scholars.
"The attainment of nuclear technology is one of the remarkable achievements of Iranian scientists, which has also elicited a great deal of commotion and uproar. But the main reason for the clamor on the part of Western countries is the native ability of young Iranian scientists to develop this advanced technology," Ayatollah Khamenei told the Tajik president.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic stressed that the officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have also acknowledged that Iran is presently one of the members of the world's nuclear club.
"We are not pursuing nuclear weapons, and Western countries are very well aware of this. The reason is that access to nuclear weapons runs counter to our country's political and economic interests and is also contrary to Islamic precepts," the Leader pointed out.
He further stated, "Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, relying on its principles and having no fear of clamor and commotion, will continue treading the path to scientific progress, and the world would not be able to influence the will of the Iranian people."
President Rakhmonov, speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, referred to good cooperation between Tehran and Dushanbe in various areas.
"Considering that the Iranian and Tajik nations speak the same language, and in view of the deep cultural and historical bonds between the two nations, we would like to further utilize the experience of Iranian specialists and have broader cooperation with the Islamic Republic," the Tajik president told the Leader.
Also, touching on the negotiations held in Tehran, President Rakhmonov expressed hopes that the agreements reached between the two sides in various fields would give fresh impetus to bilateral ties and result in the expansion of cooperation between the two countries.