The Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin met with U.S. lawmakers and scholar Frederick Starr in Washington on June 30 to discuss expanding bilateral ties, interparliamentary cooperation and academic collaboration, Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry said.

Muhriddin held talks with U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and other members of Congress on the current state and future of Tajikistan-U.S. relations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining regular political dialogue and strengthening parliamentary contacts.

The discussions also focused on cooperation in trade, investment, security, energy, industry, education and health care, as well as the implementation of joint programs. The sides also exchanged views on regional and international security issues and discussed repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment as it applies to Tajikistan.

Separately, Muhriddin met with Frederick Starr, founder and chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, to discuss preserving and studying Central Asia’s historical and cultural heritage and expanding scientific and academic cooperation.

During the meeting, Muhriddin outlined initiatives by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to establish the Center for Aryan Civilization and the International Center for Navruz in Dushanbe, saying the institutions would promote international academic cooperation and raise awareness of the region’s historical and cultural heritage.

The two sides expressed readiness to expand joint research, participate in international conferences and strengthen ties between Tajik scientific institutions and leading research centers. Muhriddin also invited Starr to visit Tajikistan to continue cooperation with the country’s academic community, the ministry said.