Iranian president to visit Tajikistan on Sunday

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will pay an official visit to Tajikistan later on Sunday, a spokesman for the Tajik Foreign Ministry said. Upon his arrival, Ahmadinejad will meet with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon. Two agreements are expected to be signed during the talks: one on the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Tajikistan's northern Aininsky district, and the other on the construction of a cement plant in the country's southern Dangarinsky district, the spokesman said. Iran and Tajikistan agreed to cooperate in the construction of the Aininsky plant on the Zeravshan River with a planned capacity of 150 MW during Ahmadinejad's visit to Tajikistan in January last year. A relevant memorandum was signed with Iranian company Farab. The Aininsky plant is expected to become a second hydroelectric power plant in Tajikistan constructed in cooperation with Iran. Another Iranian company, Sangab, has been involved in the construction of the Sangtuda 2 hydroelectric power plant on the Vakhsh River. On Monday, the two presidents are expected to attend the launch ceremony of the plant's first unit. The plant will consist of two units with a total capacity of 220 MW. In line with the plant construction agreement, revenues during the first 12.5 years of the plant's operation will be paid to Iran, after which ownership will be transferred to Tajikistan.