CA-NEWS (TJ) - Prospects of the development of bilateral relations were discussed at the meeting of Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Khamrokhon Zarifi and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake on Tuesday.

The sides discussed the regional security and cooperation in Central Asia, the situation in Afghanistan, as well as other international issues of mutual interest, said the Foreign Ministry.

"The key role of Tajikistan in the process of economic recovery in neighboring Afghanistan was noted at the meeting," said a statement of the Foreign Ministry.

Zarifi and Blake highly appraised the meeting held on Tuesday to review the political consultations between Tajikistan and the United States. At this meeting they discussed issues relating to border security, combating human trafficking, energy, agricultural reform and expansion of US-Tajik programs of educational, cultural and scientific exchanges.

Blake, who arrived in Dushanbe on a two-day visit to hold annual bilateral consultations, will meet with President Emomalii Rahmon on Wednesday.