DUSHANBE, 19.06.2018. /NIAT «Khovar»/. The Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held talks with the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain.

The President of Pakistan arrived in Tajikistan on an official visit to attend the High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028.

The official ceremony to welcome the President of Pakistan took place on the square in front of the Palace of the Nation before the start of the Presidents’ discussion.

The heads of state Emomali Rahmon and Mamnoon Hussain in the limited attendance talks discussed current issues of bilateral relations. Following the talks, consultations were held with the participation of the delegations.

The President of the country expressed his satisfaction over the existing level of friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation between the countries and said he emphasizes special place of Pakistan as a reliable partner in Tajikistan’s foreign policy system.

The two leaders agreed to promote comprehensive military-political, trade-economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation meeting the national and long-term interests of the two countries.

The two sides expressed their readiness to develop regional integration, strengthen peace and tranquility in the vast region of Central and South Asia.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of strengthening relations under the aegis of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation which affords both sides an opportunity to address bilateral economic cooperation, including hydropower, transportation, agriculture, various industries, as well as tourism.

They reportedly outlined sectors like mining (processing of precious stones and metals), industry (aluminum production), light and food industries, agriculture, and pharmaceutics, attraction of investments and relationship between entrepreneurship as areas that could drive the bilateral trade between the two countries.

The two sides stressed the importance for the parties concerning the implementation of joint projects in the field of education, healthcare, scientific and technical and technological cooperation. They also acknowledged the shared bonds of history, culture and values between the peoples of Tajikistan and Pakistan.

While addressing international and regional issues, the two sides reiterated the importance of joint position or close relationships within the framework of international and regional organizations, such as the UN, OIC, ECO, SCO and others.

Discussing the security situation, the two leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation against common global threats — extremism, terrorism, drug-trafficking and other transnational organized crimes. In this context they also reaffirmed their resolve to support the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Following completion of high-level meetings and negotiations three new documents on cooperation were signed in the presence of the heads of state in the name of developing and expanding of friendly relationships.

The heads of state Emomali Rahmon and Mamnoon Hussein signed a joint declaration titled “Strengthening the Road to Strategic Partnership for Regional Integration” between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The heads of the two states witnessed the signing of two bilateral documents.

— Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation between the Accounts Chamber of Tajikistan and the Auditor General of Pakistan on cooperation in auditing the public sector.

-Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in the fields of information between the Committee on Television and Radio of Tajikistan and Pakistan’s Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritrage.

The Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussein made press statements following bilateral meetings.