TEHRAN Tajik First Deputy Prime Minister Akbar Turajonzodah and Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here yesterday held talks on the inter-Tajik peace process and ways to develop Tehran-Dushanbe relations. Turajonzodah said the Tajik Opposition Union is for a lasting peace in the republic and criticized the slow pace of peace process and the failure to implement some of the agreements already reached between the two parties.

He appreciated the peace efforts launched by the observer countries especially the Islamic Republic of Iran and said any delay in carrying out the peace agreement would be dangerous. Turajonzodah called on the observer nations to continue their efforts to fully implement the peace accord. Kharrazi said the Islamic Republic of Iran follows up the implementation of the inter-Tajik peace talks.

He said, Iran is interested in an honorable and lasting peace in Tajikistan and spares no effort to this end.'' Kharrazi said holding a meeting by the foreign ministers of the observer nations would serve to break the deadlock. He said the two parties should honor national unity and territorial integrity to reinforce peace with the same sense that led to national reconciliation.

Kharrazi said any statement interpreted as insult to the Muslim people of Tajikistan should be avoided. The main goal of the Tajik government and the opposition union should be immediate implementation of the peace accord to remove any tension. Kharrazi and Turajonzodah discussed ways to develop economic cooperation between the two countries. Turajonzodah called for Iranian partnership in the Tajik development projects.

Kharrazi said Iran is willing to finance the economic projects in Central Asia and the Tajik Republic and is confident that with removal of the current technical problems the economic cooperation would enjoy an eye-catching growth. (IRNA)