The First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad-Reza Aref, said that Iran and Tajikistan are two neighboring and brotherly countries.

IRNA reports that Aref made the remarks on May 7 in Tehran at a meeting with Tajik Energy and Water Resources Minister, Daler Juma.

“Iran is your second home and Tajikistan is our second home,” Aref told the Tajik minister.

He reportedly said that there is no obstacle to expanding relations between the two countries, and this strategy primarily refers to common cultural characteristics, civilizational areas, and common language.

Aref said that fortunately, with the will that exists in the authorities of the two countries, Iran and Tajikistan can expand bilateral relations in various fields.

He pointed out that the economies of the two countries can complement each other.

The First Vice President, while positively assessing the regular holding of the joint commission, reportedly emphasized the implementation of the agreements between the two countries.

Referring to the existing capacities in the relations between the two countries in various fields such as economy, trade, industry, technical and engineering services, tourism, and science and education, Aref said that strengthening the connections between the private sectors of the two countries is important.

During the meeting, the minister of energy and water resources of Tajikistan also thanked the hospitality extended in the city of Shiraz and emphasized the importance and position of Iran in Tajikistan's foreign policy.

Referring to the increasing trend in the volume of trade exchanges between the two countries, he reportedly emphasized that good agreements were reached at the meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation..

IRNA noted that Referring to the invitation of the Prime Minister of Tajikistan to the First Vice President to visit Tajikistan, he expressed hope that this visit will take a new step towards developing friendly relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the press center of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) reports that during the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral relations and described the expansion of intergovernmental cooperation in key economic and social sectors as the result of the political will and joint efforts of the leaders of both countries.

It was noted with pleasure that in the first three months of 2025, bilateral trade turnover amounted to $110.6 million, which is $33.2 million or 42.9% more than the same period last year.

The parties reportedly expressed interest in further strengthening trade relations and opening new investment opportunities.

The discussion also covered the expansion of cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, industry, science and technology, and other strategic areas.

In this context, the proposal and discussion of establishing the Tajikistan-Iran Trade Center and a Digital Technology and Innovation Center in Dushanbe were considered important steps toward enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Daler Juma, reportedly welcomed the confirmed participation of the First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad-Reza Aref, in the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, which will be held in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31 of this year.