DUSHANBE, 26.08.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – The Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon had a telephone conversation with the President of the European Council Charles Michel at the initiative of the European side.

President Rahmon offered his thanks to Charles Michel for his initiative to discuss the issues related to the situation in Afghanistan.

He noted that as a result of the withdrawal of coalition forces, the country is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster and the beginning of a new wave of civil confrontation fraught with new difficulties and challenges for the entire Central Asian region.

Concern was raised about the possibility of further transformation of the territory of Afghanistan into a foothold for training international terrorists.

Despite their repeated public assurances, the Taliban refuse to form an interim transitional government with the involvement of other political forces in the country.

Rahmon stressed that as the nearest neighbor of Afghanistan, Tajikistan advocates for the creation of a peaceful and stable state with a central coordinating role of the United Nations.

“Tajikistan will not recognize a government created without taking into account the interests of the people of Afghanistan as a whole and the broad representation of all nationalities, including Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras, Turkmens, and other ethnic minorities,” noted Rahmon.
In this context, the importance of an early formation of an inclusive government was emphasized by both officials.

They also talked about stepping up the provision of targeted humanitarian assistance by the international community, which is facing a deep socio-economic crisis.

They also touched upon the issues of strengthening the security of the Tajik-Afghan border.

The sides supported each other’s position on the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, transnational crime, and other challenges and threats.

They agreed to continue the dialogue on the developments in Afghanistan, and Tajikistan and the European Union ties.

Concluding the conversation, Charles Michel invited President Rahmon to visit Brussels in October of this year.