KABUL - Afghanistan and Tajikistan have stressed the need for greater regional integration through implementation of economic projects and expansion of road and rail links, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul said on Saturday.

During Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmai Rassoul's three-day visit to the neighboring country from July 27 to July 29, the two sides also discussed the need for improved cooperation on border security and management.

Invited by his Tajik counterpart Hamrokhon Zarifi, Rassoul met President Emomali Rahmon and lower house speaker, Shukurjon Zuhurov, a statement from the ministry said.

"There is no doubt that relations between our two countries are close and growing closer by the day… Our views on bilateral relationship as well as on regional matters are similar," the minister was quoted as saying.

Tajikistan will host the next meeting of the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) on March 26- 27 next year.