Dushanbe, 10.05.2016 / NIAT «Khovar» /. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon first of all welcomed the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to Tajikistan and said: «We are glad to see you, and we hope that visiting to your second home will bring you a good impression».

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding. Emomali Rahmon noted that «Tajikistan is always willing to strengthen peace and stability in your country and its socio-economic development and support the peace program of the Government of National Unity of Afghanistan».

The sides expressed satisfaction over the current state of cooperation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan in political, economic, social and cultural spheres, and other mutually beneficial areas.

During the meeting it was stressed that in 2013 the trade turnover between the countries amounted to over 170 mln. US dollars, which is an insufficient indicator.

Tajikistan last year transferred to Afghanistan 1 billion 200 million kW / h of electricity and for the 4 months of this year 250 mln. KW / h of electricity.

It was emphasized that the implementation of projects in the fields of energy and the development of transport and transit infrastructure, the regional project CASA-1000 will increase the supply of electricity to Afghanistan. Tajikistan is also interested in the construction of railway Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Turkmenistan.

The need was noted to revitalize the Joint Commission on trade, economic, technical and cultural cooperation, as this factor may contribute to the development of relations in various vital areas and sectors of the economy, as well as the expansion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Among the main topics of the meeting were the issues of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug smuggling, transnational organized crime and other threats and challenges of the modern world.

After the meeting and talks, Emomali Rahmon and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani signed a Joint Statement of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on expansion and strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

In addition, the Agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on extradition was signed in the presence of heads of two states.

The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani  held a press conference on the results of meetings and negotiations for a wide range of domestic and foreign media.