Tajikistan officials in their meetings with an Afghan parliamentary delegation have said that continued violence in Afghanistan is concerning for the peace process and they pledged their support to counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan.

The parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Mir Rahman Rahmani on Monday met with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Sirodjidin Muhriddin.

The Tajik foreign minister stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and said it will benefit peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“We hope that peace is established in our neighboring country because security in our brotherly nation is related to security in Central Asia,” he said.

Rahmani’s meeting with the Tajik leader continued for over an hour behind closed doors.

Rahmani said that Tajik officials have not discussed a possible transitional setup to solve Afghanistan’s problem.

“Ending violence in Afghanistan requires regional cooperation. Peace will not be ensured if Afghanistan’s neighbors do not directly interfere in any type of peace agreement,” Rahmani said.

He said that a withdrawal that is not responsible will open the way for another civil war in the country. He said that the Tajik president is concerned about the spread of violence along Afghanistan-Tajikistan borders.

“We discussed Afghan peace and Afghan refugees and trade between the two countries,” Rahmani said.