TEHRAN- In a meeting between Iranian energy minister and Tajikistan's transport minister in Dushanbe, the two sides discussed the issue of Iranian companies’ presence in the road-building projects in Tajikistan.

Expressing his satisfaction over the performance of Iranian companies in building a tunnel in Tajikistan, the Tajik minister called for these companies’ cooperation in the next phase of the project which is installing equipment inside the tunnel, Iranian Energy Ministry’s news portal, PAVEN, reported on Thursday.

The five-kilometer tunnel shortens the distance between Dushanbe and Khujand, the official noted.

Iranian energy minister, for his part, expressed satisfaction over the current level of cooperation between the two countries and said Tajikistan can benefit from Iran’s good experiences in the field of building freeways and tunnels specially in mountainous areas.

He also expressed hope that the second phase of the tunnel in Tajikistan will be started soon by participation of Iranian companies.

MA/MA