DUSHANBE, 20.05.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – In the Palace of the Nation, the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held talks with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who arrived in Dushanbe on an official visit.

Following the official welcoming ceremony and introduction of members of the two delegations, the counterparts had a one-on-one discussion, which was followed by a meeting with the inclusion of both delegations.

The meeting covered the current status of Tajik-Kazakh cooperation and prospects for its further development, with an emphasis on political, inter-parliamentary, trade, economy, scientific and technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as a number of topical regional and international matters. Cooperation in security matters and other important issues were also touched upon.

President Rahmon praised President Tokayev and the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev’s roles in strengthening relations and bringing it to the level of strategic partnership.

“Tajikistan appreciates the strategic partnership with the brotherly Kazakhstan. We intend to continue to make the necessary efforts to develop cooperation between our countries in all areas,» said President Rahmon.

They also exchanged views on the issues of jointly mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economies of the two countries.

Kazakhstan is Tajikistan’s second largest trading partner. The trade turnover last year between the two countries reached $1 billion.

Tajikistan also is seeking to collaborate with Kazakhstan in the digitalization of the economy, importing the state-of-the-art technologies, launching joint ventures on processing farm produce, exporting eco products to Kazakhstan and launching joint wholesale distribution centers and utilizing the potential of free economic zones in Tajikistan.

The importance of expanding bilateral collaboration in the field of railway traffic and resuming regular flights between the capitals of the two countries was also emphasized.

The parties agreed to increase the number of quotas for the study of Tajik students in higher educational institutions of Kazakhstan and the opening of higher educational institutions of Kazakhstan in Tajikistan.

The counterparts also looked in detail at the prospects of bilateral cooperation within international organizations such as the UN, SCO, CIS, CSTO and CICA.

Over the current development in the neighboring Afghanistan, the sides noted the importance of strengthen collaboration between the intelligence agencies in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to visit Kazakhstan. The invitation was accepted.

Following the bilateral talks, President Rahmon and President Tokayev signed a joint declaration.

The counterparts were also present for the signing of intergovernmental agreements on cooperation, including the agreement between the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation in combating tuberculosis, a cooperation program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan designed for 2021-2023, a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a framework of a memorandum on cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan, a memorandum on cooperation between the Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, and one on cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan for the joint implementation of the commodity-producing system creation projects.