Tasnim � President of Iran Hassan Rouhani called for efforts to promote cooperation with Tajikistan in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak and in mitigating the pandemic�s economic consequences.

In a Wednesday message to his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon, Rouhani congratulated the people and government of Tajikistan on the 29th anniversary of the central Asian country�s independence from the Soviet Union that collapsed in 1991.

He also highlighted Iran�s willingness to promote and strengthen ties with Tajikistan in bilateral and multilateral fields given their common culture and language.

Rouhani also emphasized that the outbreak of the coronavirus has made it necessary for the Iranian and Tajik officials to promote cooperation in order to address the region�s economic problems and share experiences in the battle with the pandemic.

The president expressed hope that joint efforts would broaden the bilateral ties to serve mutual interests and contribute to regional and international peace and security.

Every year, Tajikistan celebrates the anniversary of its independence on September 9.

Most of Tajikistan�s population belongs to the Persian-speaking Tajik ethnic group, who share language, culture, and history with Iran and Afghanistan.

After independence, Tajikistan suffered from a devastating civil war which lasted from 1992 to 1997. Since the end of the war, newly established political stability and foreign aid have allowed the country's economy to grow.

Iran was the first nation to establish an embassy in Dushanbe. It was also one of the first countries to extend diplomatic recognition of the newly independent Tajikistan in 1991.