Addressing the joint meeting of Iranian and Tajik high-ranking delegations, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Tajik counterpart Imomali Rakhmon welcomed Tajikistan's proposal for Nowrouz Festival commemoration worldwide under the auspices of Iranian, Tajik and Afghan embassies and said, 'Nowrouz festival sets a global, divine, and humanitarian occasion, being the festival of peace, chastity, friendship and love.'

President Ahmadinejad, voicing pleasure with his visit to Tajikistan on the occasion of Nowrouz, said global celebration of Nowrouz Festival is a valuable initiative aiming to understand real value of renewal and rebirth on the spring equinox.

He said holding such ceremonies is extremely difficult. 'Of course, Nowrouz is so good, nice, beautiful and lovely that would make all difficulties simple; I hope the occasion would be celebrated worldwide in the near future through efforts of all countries falling within the zone of Nowrouz civilization.'

President Ahmadinejad further voiced satisfaction with the level of Iran-Tajikistan economic, cultural and political cooperation.

He said that joint economic cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan is forward-looking and favorable.

'We should lay pipelines for transfer of oil, gas and water and build railway through cooperation of Afghanistan and under the auspices of Iran and Tajikistan.'

He pointed to the meeting of Economic Forum on Afghanistan due to be held during his three-day stay in Dushanbe in presence of Iranian, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and said, 'The meeting is highly important and effective because only friends and neighbors of Afghanistan can virtually and really help the country; The occupiers have come to the region from overseas not to help Afghan government and nation but to plunder Afghanistan's resources and mines.'

He called for promotion of friendship and cooperation among regional states.

President Ahmadinejad said trend of friendship among regional states is growing, something that would limit foreign intervention.

Dr.Ahmadinejad said Iran is ready to expand cooperation with Tajikistan. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran does not consider any limit for promotion of cooperation with the friendly and brotherly country of Tajikistan.'

President Rakhmon said for his part that presence of the presidents of the Persian-speaking countries in the World Nowrouz Festival is sign of glory and courage of the nations owning such a civilization.

'Nowrouz is the festival of goodness, friendship and cooperation. This year, I have received many 'Happy Nowrouz' greetings in Persian from other head of states, indicating broad welcome to the festival by other countries and their satisfaction with its forward progress.' Iran-Tajikistan cooperation has a promising and bright prospect, he added.

He noted that his country is interested in further expansion of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran. 'Tajikistan is keen on meeting its oil, gas and energy needs through Iran rather than other countries.'

The Tajik president said Iran is entitled to peaceful use of nuclear energy for its development. 'Iran has a rich history and civilization, having a civilized nation it wants nuclear energy solely for peaceful purpose and for its progress.'

He announced that propaganda war on Iran will definitely come to an end and Iran will embrace a brilliant and progressive future.

Referring to the scheduled Economic Forum on Afghanistan, President Rakhmon said the UN Security Council has in a statement hoped that the meeting will be held more successfully and fruitfully, delegating effective help to Afghanistan.