DUSHANBE, 29.03.2020 (NIAT Khovar) – The Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, who arrived in Dushanbe on a working visit. The meeting took place at the Palace of the Nation.

During the conversation, in an atmosphere of friendship and complete mutual understanding, the parties discussed the state and prospects of the entire complex of Tajik-Uzbek relations and ways of their expansion.

The positive tendencies of the steady development and deepening of relations between the two countries, including the constantly increasing volumes of trade, the active work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation whose regular meeting was held today in the capital of Tajikistan were noted with satisfaction.

In this regard, President Rahmon expressed confidence that the results of the commission’s work will contribute to strengthening the interaction of the parties.

In this context, noting the priority nature of Tajik-Uzbek relations in Tajikistan’s foreign policy, President Rahmon emphasized the importance of maintaining constant political contacts and dialogue at high levels for the consistent build-up of Tajik-Uzbek relations of strategic partnership.

It should be noted that recently, in accordance with the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries, a series of fruitful meetings and negotiations of the parties took place.

In particular, the representative delegation of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan in Dushanbe met with Tajik parliamentarians.

A joint scientific and practical conference and a meeting of representatives of the creative intelligentsia of the two countries were held in Dushanbe.

The delegation of Uzbekistan took part in the celebration of the 5500th anniversary of the ancient city of Sarazm.

A general educational institution built by the Uzbek side was put into operation in the Spitamen region of Tajikistan. Today, with the participation of Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda and  Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, the work of the joint Tajik-Uzbek enterprise Artel Avesto Electronics was launched.

These and other events testify to the fact that our countries, despite all the objective difficulties of the time, manage to maintain the positive dynamics of relations.

In the context of discussing topical issues of increasing cooperation in the context of a pandemic, President Rahmon once again thanked his Uzbek friends for the humanitarian assistance provided in such difficult times for all.

Given the global threat of the spread of COVID-19, the parties spoke in favor of taking the necessary measures to prevent the negative impact of the crisis in the world economy on the dynamics of our trade and economic relations between the two countries.

They also talked about the importance of further diversifying the structure of trade and overcoming technical barriers to trade, continuing work on opening trading houses, representative offices and branches of companies of the parties on the territory of each other, more fully using the significant potential of investment cooperation between the two countries.

The spheres of hydropower and construction of new road infrastructures were identified as other promising areas of cooperation.

At the end of the conversation, President Rahmon wished the leadership of neighboring Uzbekistan success in continuing the Uzbek model of development, and his brotherly people — peace, stability and further prosperity.