This morning, the official welcoming ceremony of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, who arrived in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on a state visit, took place in front of the President’s House of Sri Lanka.

To welcome the Head of Tajikistan’s state the square in front of President’s House was festively decorated and the national flags of Tajikistan and Sri Lanka waved in the wind.

A guard of honor, brass band of Sri Lanka, and official delegations of both parties lined up in honor of the visit of distinguished guest — President of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon.

President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon was sincerely greeted by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, who invited him to the tribune of honor.

Thus, the official welcoming ceremony has been stated with the report of the commander of the Guard of Honor and then continued with the performance of anthems of the two states.

Official delegation of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was introduced to the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and members of the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan were introduced to the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena.

The issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of friendly relations and cooperation between Tajikistan and Sri Lanka first took place at the tete-a-tete meeting of Emomali Rahmon and Maithripala Sirisena, and then continued during the top level intergovernmental talks in an expanded format.

Head of state Emomali Rahmon at the beginning of the meeting pointed out that «today’s meeting is the first high-level talks between the two countries, and I hope that they would open a new page in the history of relations between Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.»

It was emphasized that the development of mutually beneficial relations, the widespread use of great opportunities is in the interests of the two peoples.

The two sides exchanged views on ways to enhance cooperation between Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

The parties considered it necessary to establish a joint intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation and a joint business council of Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

In addition, the formation of the legal base of relations was named an important factor in enabling the use of resources and opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic spheres, including in the industry.

During the meeting the need was stressed to attract investment of Sri Lanka for the implementation of joint projects in the sphere of hydropower, including participation in the projects for the construction of transmission lines of regional significance, small and medium hydropower plants in Tajikistan.

The Tajik side proposed to study the possibility of implementing economic projects in the free economic zones, the creation of various joint industrial enterprises in mining and processing of precious stones, construction materials, agricultural products processing.

During the meeting the sides discussed issues of cooperation in the field of tourism, the development of the tourism industry and infrastructure, science and education. It was stressed that tourism can be a promising area of bilateral cooperation.

A constructive conversation took place on global issues of joint struggle against international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime; addressing  the problem of Afghanistan in the framework of cooperation with the UN and other regional and international organizations.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon expressed his sincere gratitude to the leadership of Sri Lanka for its support of the new initiative of Tajikistan — the International Decade «Water for Sustainable Development».

At the end of the meeting, President Emomali Rahmon expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Sri Lanka for a warm reception and invited his counterpart Maithripala Sirisena to pay visit Tajikistan on a friendly visit. The invitation was accepted positively.

Following completion of the meetings and negotiations at the highest level the ceremony of signing of new cooperation documents took place in  the presence of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena.

Joint Communique of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on strengthening of bilateral cooperation was adopted and four bilateral documents on cooperation were signed:

Memorandum of Understanding on conducting political consultations between the foreign ministries of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on cooperation in the field of tourism;

Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports;

Memorandum between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade of Sri Lanka on coordination of agreement on mutually beneficial cooperation.

Thus, the official welcoming ceremony of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon came to an end. Today also other meetings with high-level representatives of this country are expected.