DUSHANBE, 05.07.2017. /NIAT «Khovar»/. The official ceremony to welcome the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, who has arrived in Tajikistan on an official visit, took place today in the main square in front of the Palace of the Nation.

The state flags of Tajikistan and Pakistan were raised, and an orchestra played the countries’ national anthems. Emomali Rahmon and Nawaz Sharif reviewed the honor guard and introduced their accompanying officials respectively.

Following the formal ceremony at the square in front of the Palace of the Nation, the high-level Tajik-Pakistani talks focused on further expansion of bilateral ties.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif had a meeting in a narrow format and were later joined by members of their delegations.

President Emomali Rahmon welcomed distinguished guest to Tajikistan and congratulated Premier of Pakistan on his country’s becoming a full-fledged member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Expressing satisfaction with the ongoing process of political links between Tajikistan and Pakistan, in particular at the highest level, the sides called today’s high-level meetings and negotiations is taking place in a milestone period of the contemporary history of our countries’ cooperation, i.e. 25th Anniversary of the establishment of our countries’ diplomatic relations, is of particular importance for us.

They expressed confidence that today’s meeting will expand cooperation between the two friendly countries in the spheres of trade, economy, science, technology and culture.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress made in bilateral ties and acknowledged the need to further expand bilateral economic cooperation and develop the work of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic Cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan.

The two sides welcomed the signing of a Tajikistan–Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, which aims to enhance the provision of transportation services between the two countries.

They also expressed their hopes that the business circles of Pakistan would participate in the operation of the free economic zones of Tajikistan and the implementation of medium and large scale projects of our country in the spheres of industry, energy, transportation, tourism, education and healthcare.

Head of State Emomali Rahmon pointed out that Tajikistan is a landlocked country and once again stresses its interest in using the capabilities of sea ports of Pakistan and existing transit networks to expand trade at the regional level.

The two sides acknowledged the need to cooperate on the implementation of regional project of the high-voltage electricity transmission line – CASA-1000.

During the top-level talks the parties also discussed a wide range of issues regarding regional and international problems, in particular current political situation in Afghanistan, the fight against international terrorism and extremism, the illegal drug trade and other forms of transnational organized crime.

During the fruitful meetings and negotiations the sides conducted a thorough exchange of opinions on ways to further improve and expand multifaceted cooperation within the UN, SCO, ICO and ECO.

Both sides appreciated the broad and constructive interstate cooperation for the respective long-term interests of the peoples of the two countries, deemed it necessary and important to expand regional integration, which seriously contributes to the strengthening of peace and stability in the vast region of Central and South Asia.

Following the bilateral talks, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif signed a Joint Declaration entitled «Road towards strategic partnership for regional solidarity»

Other documents signed included a memorandum of understanding on trade cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the MoU on cooperation between Tajik Agrarian University (TAU) named after Shirinsho Shotemur and Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpinid Islamabad.

The Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif also made statements for the press.