Dushanbe, 04.01.2016 (NIAT «Khovar»). — President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has met in Jeddah with Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Iyad bin Amin Madani.

During the meeting the sides discussed issues of multilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

«We believe the cooperation and mutually beneficial relationships with the organization and its Member States is one of the important directions of foreign policy of the state and are optimistic about their future,» — said at the beginning of the conversation the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

The two sides exchanged views on various issues concerning the relations of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and expressed concern about the unstable situation, wars and conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, Afghanistan and a number of other Muslim countries. Serious concern was expressed regarding the spread of terrorism, extremism, aggravation of contradictions between sects (mazhab) and on that basis the increase of anti-Muslim sentiment.

Emomali Rahmon, recalling the interest of Tajikistan in addressing the problem of Afghanistan, once again called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Member States of the organization to contribute actively to the restoration of lasting peace and stability in that long-suffering country, including through the promotion of its economic revival.

The sides also expressed their satisfaction with the adoption of «a practical plan of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on engagement with Central Asia» and called «very important step» to its first investment forum for countries in the region in the city of Dushanbe.

Iyad Amin Madani once again expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon for hosting the Forum for Economic Cooperation, which was held in October 2014 on the sidelines of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Tajikistan.

It was expressed confidence that the recommendations and initiatives proposed in this forum will be considered in future work plans of the organization, including its strategic document «OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action for the period up to 2025».

Iyad Amin Madani said that the next summit of the OIC Member States will be held in April 2016 in Istanbul and he also invites the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to take part in this summit, describing him as «a great personality with deep thoughts and ideas among Islamic leaders».