Dear Mr. Minister,

Dear colleagues,

Media representatives,

On 30 March 2021, the Ninth Ministerial Conference «Heart of Asia — Istanbul Process» under the title of «Strengthening Consensus for Peace and Development” was held in Dushanbe with participation of participating countries, supporting countries and regional and international organizations in presence format and via videoconference.

We discussed the topical issues of the international and regional agenda with an emphasis on the prospects for a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan, combating terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.

We paid special attention to promotion of the inter-Afghan dialogue started in Doha on 12 September 2020.

The talks also touched upon the practical issues of extension of bilateral relations, including in the fields of trade and economy, educational exchanges and humanitarian projects, taking into account the current sanitary and epidemiological situation in the world.

We stated that Afghanistan is the important partner of Tajikistan in our region.

Based on the historical traditions of friendship, the countries of the region are committed to support the development of political dialogue, interactions in the economic, trade, cultural and humanitarian spheres with Afghanistan.

We expressed our concerns about the growing military tensions, terrorist activities and illicit drug trafficking in Afghanistan, especially in border areas of our country.

We are determined to continue constructive cooperation with Afghanistan in the interests of establishing peace in this country, combating common threats, primarily terrorism and drug-related crimes.

The meeting discussed the cooperation in the economic, transit, transport, energy, logistics, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The integration processes in the region were deliberated and the importance of coordinated efforts to effectively realize the benefits arising from the cooperation in common integration associations was emphasized.

We reaffirmed our principled line in creating conditions for inter-Afghan national reconciliation. We will continue these efforts in contacts with the countries of the region.

We expressed concern that, despite the launch of the inter-Afghan negotiation process, the situation in Afghanistan remains unstable and tense.

Afghanistan is our important regional partner suffering from a difficult period in its history.

Tajikistan attaches particular attention to advancement of the process of national reconciliation in Afghanistan and termination of the long-term armed conflicts in the country. We consistently advocate the formation of Afghanistan as a peaceful and stable state, independent and free from terrorism and drugs, as well as having good relations with its neighbors, countries of the region and the whole world.

At the Ninth Dushanbe Conference, it was decided that the World Bank should be officially accepted to the membership of the «Heart of Asia — Istanbul Process» as an international donor organization.

During the Conference, we coordinated and adopted its final document — the Dushanbe Declaration which covers the areas of our joint cooperation to bring peace in Afghanistan.

Thanks for your attention.