DUSHANBE, 11.02.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. Saidali Siddiq, the Director of the National Information Agency of Tajikistan “Khovar” under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on Friday February 10 has met with Abbasali Gasanov, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Tajikistan.

During the meeting the two parties had an exchange of views on the development and deepening of cultural and information ties.

It was noted that on May 29 the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Currently Tajik-Azerbaijani legal base consists of more than 30 documents, one of which is the Agreement on friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan dated March 16, 2007. The adopted documents between the two countries will surely provide legal base for the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan in political, economic, investment, tax, banking and customs spheres.

“The sustainable development of cooperation between our countries, first of all, is promoted by good and friendly relations, as well as meetings of heads of the two states”, — emphasized Saidali Siddiq. He has noted that relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan are developing on the basis of long-standing friendly traditions of the peoples of the two countries. According to the Agency Director, the cultural commonality of our peoples, for example, is embodied in the musical genres “Shashmaqom” and “Mugam”, “Falak” and “Ashug”, and the priceless heritage of the great poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi is the common heritage of the peoples of the two countries.

It was expressed satisfaction that NIAT “Khovar” within the Council of heads of the state news agencies of the Commonwealth of Independent States /CIS/ has established mutually beneficial cooperation with the state news agencies of the CIS States Participants, including Azerbaijan. In particular, since the beginning of the current year on the website of the Agency a rubric “Our partners” was opened, where regularly and promptly news of two well-known news agencies of Azerbaijan – “AZERTAC” and “Trend” are issued. The same rubrics are also opened on the websites of “AZERTAC” and “Trend”, where NIAT “Khovar” news are also issued.

Abbasali Gasanov, reminding the role of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon in the development and prosperity of our country, has put his outstanding merits in one row with Heydar Aliyev’s merits for Azerbaijan. “Emomali Rahmon made great merits for the Tajik people, just like Heydar Aliyev as the national leader made for the people of Azerbaijan”, — said Azerbaijani Ambassador, adding: “No wealth can be compared with the peace and stability of the country. The security and stability of Tajikistan will contribute to the accelerated development of your country. By the will of the Almighty this highest gift to the Tajik people was namely given by Emomali Rahmon. With such Leader of the Nation Tajikistan is heading for a bright future”.

Ambassador Gasanov, expressing view on the contribution of the Azerbaijani diasporas in various spheres of Tajikistan and the Tajiks contribution in various spheres of the economy of Azerbaijan, noted that we should not forget their merits, and we have to present them to the younger generation by involving journalists, writers and scientists.

Azerbaijani Ambassador, noting the unique taste of the water of Tajikistan, stressed that “If Tajikistan will export its water abroad, incomes from it will be significantly much more than the benefits that other countries get from oil and gas exports!”

Following the meeting the two parties had also an exchange of views on the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the field of information, and wished to each other success in achieving common goals.