Iran Envoy To Tajikistan Bids Farewell To Hosts

Dushanbe, Oct 14, IRNA – Islamic Republic of Iran Ambassador to Tajikistan Ali Asghar She’rdoust in an official ceremony on Sunday evening at the end of his 68-month diplomatic mission, bid farewell to Tajik officials and foreign ambassadors to Dushanbe. A good number of Tajikistan’s politicians and cultural personalities, too, were among the distinguished guest in the Iranian diplomat’s farewell ceremony. Ambassador She’rdoust referred to his meeting two days ago with the president of Tajikistan, noting, “President Emomali Rahmon had a fleeting review of Iran-Tajikistan relations from the past till today and mentioned that the two countries’ relations has improved with the passage of each new day and with the turn of each new page, expressing great pleasure over the matter.” He said that the good and strong relations between Iran and Tajikistan was thanks to the strong will of the leaders of the two brother countries, adding, “The new government of President Hassan Rohani, too, would keep on paving the same path, because the two countries’ excellent ties is based on a will that is above those of the two countries’ leaders.” Tajiks and Iranians have been connected historically and culturally for thousands of years. Tajiks, just like the majority of Iranians, are an Iranian people and speak the Persian language, which is also the official language of Iran. Tajikistan, due to historical and cultural ties with Iran and the former Iranian empires, is regarded as a part of Greater Iran. Post Arab revitalization of Persian culture began in Khorassan, the historic North-Eastern Iranian province, under the Samanid Dynasty. Samarqand and Bukhara flourished and became major trade, scientific and cultural hubs. Iran was the first nation to establish an embassy in Dushanbe after Tajikistan’s independence from the former Soviet Union. It was also one of the first countries to extend diplomatic recognition of the newly independent Tajikistan in 1991. Iran provided diplomatic assistance and built new mosques within Tajikistan. Due to the resurgence of Iranian culture within Tajikistan, Iran helped encourage cultural exchange through conferences, media, and film festivals. Iranian television programs, magazines, and books became increasingly common in Tajikistan./end