President Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that the people of Iran and Tajikistan enjoy historical, cultural affinity.



President made the remarks in a joint press conference with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe on Sunday.



The two officials discussed ways to expand parliamentary relations between Iran and Tajikistan.



“No one should allow sworn enemies to gain a footing in the region and get the opportunity to plot against and dominate nations,” said President Ahmadinejad.



“We are friends with everyone, but we have to defend our independence and interests,” the president added.



President Ahmadinejad pointed out that he and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon have common stances with regard to defending the independence and interests of their countries.



While thanking President Rahmon for inviting him to Tajikistan on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of independence of Tajikistan, President Ahmadinejad noted that Iran and Tajikistan have friendly ties with majority of countries of the world.



He referred to the common cultural, historical and traditional commonalties between the two Persian-speaking nations and called for further exchanges of expertise in technological fields between Iran and Tajikistan.



Referring to common ethnic, cultural and historical backgrounds of two countries, President Ahmadinejad said that the Iranian and Tajik nations become happy about the positive incidents taking place for either of them.



“By making Sangtude-2 power plant and dam operational in Tajikistan till the end of current Iranian year, the people of Tajikistan will have access to electrical energy,” he added.