Dushanbe (IP) – Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and the Tajik Defense Minister stressed the need to fight terrorism, establish border security, hold joint exercises and develop the two countries' military equipment.

Iran PressAsia: Major-General Mohammad Bagheri went to Dushanbe as head of a high-level military delegation to promote and develop joint defense and military cooperation with Tajikistan.

Chief of general staff of the Iranian Armed Forces attended a specialized meeting after being officially welcomed by Tajik Defense Minister Colonel-General Sherali Mirzo and attending a military ceremony.

In the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to develop and expand bilateral cooperation and the fight against terrorism in the Central Asian region, as well as regional collaboration centered on Afghanistan.

Bagheri stated that developing and strengthening regional and bilateral cooperation, as well as the exchange of training and the development of military cooperation in the fight against terrorism, should be a priority for the two countries' armed forces.

The Tajik defense minister, for his part, welcomed the plans of the Iranian Armed Forces to combat terrorism, organized crime and narcotics with the help and cooperation of the two countries.

Colonel-General Sherali Mirzo said that holding joint exercises and developing military equipment is a priority for the two sides' armed forces.

Following the independence of the Republic of Tajikistan On September 9, 1991, the Islamic Republic of Iran became the first country to recognize the independence of Tajikistan and opened its embassy in Dushanbe.

Although Tajikistan is not a neighbor of Iran, the two countries have many historical, cultural, and linguistic ties.