Speaking at the 12th Commission of Cooperation for Development of Transport in Central Asian Countries, he added that Iran enjoys special status in terms of economic and technical potentials among regional countries including implementing joint economic projects in transport and tunnel-building in Tajikistan.

The minister also said that during the recent exchange of visits by Iranian and Tajik presidents, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) have been signed on investment and implementation of new projects to build tunnel and roads and shipment of goods.

He referred to Iran"s investment in Tajikistan and construction of Esteqlal Tunnel, which will become operational in two months, as one of important projects being implemented by Iranian engineers in Tajikistan.

Iran"s readiness to carry out construction project of Charmagzak Tunnel will create new chapter in cooperation between the two countries and help boost Tajikistan"s economic growth in the field of transport and road networks, Ashurov added.

Pointing to the construction of the two tunnels by Iran in Tajikistan, he noted that the projects will prepare proper ground for expansion of transport industry and shipment of commodities among Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Iran.

Esteqlal Tunnel, built by Iranian experts, was inaugurated in the presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Tajik President Imamali Rahmanov last summer.

PIN/IRNA