Mohammadhassan Asadi, Shiraz mayor, and Nizamuddin Zahedi, Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Tehran met on the sidelines of the 17^th international Tourism Exhibition.  In this meeting, Asadi said: “Iran and Tajikistan have had friendly relationships since the past years and their language, cultural and historical common grounds have cemented both nations’ ties.”
He added “Shiraz and Dushanbe have been sister-city for 32 years and since then, some good initiatives have been taken. Considering potential cooperation capacities, both parties are required to try more to foster and promote the ties of both cities.”
Referring to the tangible and special monuments inherited from the Zand era, which attract many domestic and international tourists to Shiraz, Asadi continued “the historical monuments of Shiraz are unrepeatable and Shiraz Municipality is determined to safeguard them.”
“Recently, Shiraz has been accredited as the Asian Capital City of Environment by the Asian Mayors' Forum. Also, this Iranian major city has won the title of the world craft city and it is the only Iranian city which serves as a board member of the League of Historical Cities,” He added.
Shiraz mayor also invited the ambassador of Tajikistan and Mayor of Dushanbe to join him for the events and ceremony which will b held in early May to mark the Day of Shiraz.   
Zahedi, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Tehran, said “the Tajiks are devoted friends of Shiraz, and are interested to visit Shiraz and its historical sites including the tombs of Hafiz and Saadi, the Persepolis, and Naqsh-e-Rostam necropolis.”
He then added “the Iran-Tajikistan relationship is ongoing and the promotion of ties between cities and provinces of both countries has been taken into account.”
Zahedi declared that the ties between Shiraz and Dushanbe would be fostered through concluding a new agreement. He said “some initiatives such as developing Shiraz-Dushanbe cooperation program, participating in the exhibitions and the appearance of high ranking officials in the programs of each other should be taken into account.”
Putting emphasis on fostering the cooperation between the private sectors of both cities, He continued “attempts have been made to establish the direct flight between Shiraz and Dushanbe.”
Zahedi said “Tajikistan tries to move from the agricultural-oriented economy to the agro-industrial economy. Therefore, it is a good opportunity to use the industrial capacities of Shiraz.”