Dushanbe, 21.10.2016. /NIAT «Khovar»/. Today, at the Palace of the Nation, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Mevlut Chavushoglu.

The state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkey have been discussed during the meeting.

“Tajikistan is a supporter of the process of strengthening and expanding the good and long-term friendly relations with Turkey” — said President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and highlighted the importance of the principle of conformity of the foreign policy of Tajikistan.

In the course of the talks, focusing on bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries in the international arena in the political, economic, cultural and other spheres of mutual interest, it was stressed that in this process inviolable principles of friendship, equality and trust and mutual respect are recognized as the characteristic features for Tajikistan and Turkey relations.

It was emphasized that today the volume of trade between the two countries amounts to more than 200 million US dollars and 88 Turkish companies are registered on the territory of Tajikistan.

The parties agreed that further joint efforts to enhance cooperation, including in terms of increased trade, are in the interests of both nations.

The meeting confirmed the willingness and interest of the Tajik side in the continuation of the partnership in the areas of investments, creation of joint ventures in the productive sectors of the economy, the importance of the participation of Turkey in the implementation of projects related to the construction and reconstruction of energy, transport and communications infrastructure of Tajikistan, which has great regional importance.

The issues of cultural relations and cooperation in other social spheres as an important factor in strengthening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries were also discussed.

The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, stressed the need for collective struggle against threats and challenges to the region’s peace and security, including terrorism, extremism, at the forefront of which are Tajikistan and Turkey.

In order to ensure security and stability in our countries and the region as a whole, including the priority areas of bilateral cooperation, the joint fight against terrorism and extremism should be considered.

According to Emomali Rahmon, terrorism has no religion, confession, nation and country, the Tajik side in the fight against terrorism and extremism will not accept the use of «double standards».

In this context, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has called on the Turkish authorities to take effective and immediate steps to apprehend and extradite the Tajik citizens, who are wanted for terrorist and extremist activities and took shelter in Turkey.

President Emomali Rahmon also stressed the need for coordinated decisive action in preventing cases of Tajik citizens joining terrorist organizations, for the purpose of participation in the fighting in the Middle East, through the territory of Turkey.