DUSHANBE, 14.12.2022 (NIAT Khovar) –  The Tajik-Pakistani talks continued in the presence of both countries’ delegations.

At the beginning of the talks, bilateral political trust was characterized as a stable basis for partnership relations and the basis for the development of the whole set of cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan.

President Emomali Rahmon emphasized that the further strengthening of multifaceted relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan, along with meeting the interests of the two countries, is also an important factor in the protection of stability, security, and development of the region.

The focus of attention was on interstate relations in the fields of economy, trade, transport, and energy. They noted the necessity of holding regular meetings of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation for further development and strengthening of relations in these areas.

The parties also emphasized the importance of strengthening the activities of joint working groups on oil, gas, and energy, the Joint Council of Entrepreneurs and the Entrepreneurial Forum, and considered the establishment of a joint council of shipping companies between the two countries.

At the same time, during the meeting, attention was paid to the expansion of relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan in the fields of investment, light and food industry, mining, agriculture, pharmaceutical industry, as well as the creation of joint production enterprises, including the establishment of joint enterprises for the production of final products of cotton fiber, wool and leather processing, marble stones, construction materials, and medicines in Tajikistan, attracting more capital and modern technologies of Pakistan to various sectors of production of Tajikistan.

Referring to the development of interstate cooperation in the field of transport, President Rahmon and Prime Minister Sharif noted the importance of reaching international transport corridors through Pakistan’s roads and sea ports, implementing transport projects connecting Tajikistan and Pakistan, as well as constructing new regional corridors for access to sea ports.

Concerning interstate cooperation in the field of energy, attention was paid to the timely implementation of the CASA-1000 project as a real connector of the energy markets of the Central and South Asian region.

Expressing concern over the intensification of armed conflicts in various regions of the world, the increase in the risks of international terrorism and extremism, trafficking of weapons, drugs, cybercrime, and transnational organized crimes, environmental problems, especially climate change, and the increase in natural disasters and manifestations of highly dangerous infectious diseases in the region and the world, the parties emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in the fight against modern threats. During the meeting, views were exchanged on the issue of Afghanistan and further strengthening of Tajik-Pakistani partnership within the framework of the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Organization of Economic Cooperation, and other regional and international institutions.

The Tajik side expressed its gratitude to the Pakistani side for supporting Tajikistan’s initiative to declare 2025 as the «International Year of Glacier Protection.» The Pakistani side thanked the Tajik side for providing humanitarian aid to the victims of severe floods in various regions of this country that occurred this year.

They also discussed the  development of interstate cooperation in the fields of culture, education, health, science, technology, and the implementation of joint projects. In this context, they emphasized the expansion of permanent contacts of intellectuals, scientists, creators, and artists to strengthen historical ties and further enrich the cultural and civilizational commonality of the people of the two countries, the organization of scientific conferences, round tables, and cultural days in each other’s countries. At the end of the meeting, the President Rahmon invited Prime Minister Sharif to visit Tajikistan on an official visit at his convenience.