DUSHANBE, 17.08.2018 /NIAT “Khovar”/. The President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held talks with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

The official ceremony to welcome the President of Tajikistan, who has arrived to Uzbekistan on a state visit, took place on the square in front of the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace.

Following the official welcoming ceremony, participants in the limited attendance talks discussed issues related to the strengthening of bilateral collaboration in key areas of mutual interest. The heads of the two states exchanged views on topical issues of the international and regional agenda.

The Leader of the Nation His Excellency Emomali Rahmon expressed his sincere and cordial gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the invitation to visit brotherly Uzbekistan on a state visit, and noted with satisfaction that today’s negotiation will give a powerful impetus to the creative process of the dynamic development of the entire range of good-neighborly relations between our countries.

Following the talks, negotiations were held with the participation of the delegations.

The President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon pointed out that cooperation with Uzbekistan always occupies one of the special priority areas in Tajikistan’s foreign policy.

It was stressed that Tajik-Uzbek relations have traditionally been based on the proximity of two peoples, centuries-old friendship and mutual respect. Today, another solid package of bilateral documents will be signed, which cover a wide range of issues of our cooperation.

«Of course, among these documents, the signing of Strategic Partnership Agreement, which brings the mutual relations of the two countries to a qualitatively new level, is considered the most important one. This fact is an event of historical significance and clearly demonstrates our sincere desire to strengthen relations of eternal friendship and good-neighborliness between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, pointed out Emomali Rahmon during the meeting.

The Head of State stressed the fundamental importance of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and said that the positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation between our countries has been established.

The President of country expressed his satisfaction over the double increase of trade turnover. It was suggested to diversify the range of bilateral trade to further support this trend. More in-depth integration is needed in order to improve the working conditions of Tajik and Uzbek investors.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon underlined that active participation of Tajik – Uzbek Business Circles in national exhibitions and business forums in the territory of the two countries are a positive and timely shift.

In this context, it is believed that the results of the exhibition «Made in Tajikistan» and the joint Tajik-Uzbek business forum in Tashkent within the framework of the visit will be equally fruitful for expanding business contacts between the entrepreneurs of the two countries.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed actual aspects of bilateral cooperation in the areas of transport — communication, regional integration, water and energy resources, security and defense, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties.

«The commonness of history and traditions, the neighborhood of our nations predetermined closeTajik-Uzbek interaction in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. The Tajik and Uzbek diasporas living in our countries is a sign special importance to our relations. In this regard, the creation of favorable conditions for the self-realization of members of the Tajik and Uzbek diasporas in our countries is an important aspect of interaction in the humanitarian sphere, noted the President of Tajikistan.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the disturbing phenomena, which are largely related to the growth of global challenges and threats to security. Particular attention was paid to the situation in the neighboring Afghanistan.

In this context, the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, stressed the importance of further strengthening efforts toward fully developing full-fledged regional cooperation, to strengthen the atmosphere of friendship, mutual understanding and good-neighborliness in the region.

The sides regarded as very important development of cooperation between the two countries in the international arena, in particular, within the framework of the UN, OSCE, CIS, SCO and other organizations.