DUSHANBE, 10.12.2017 /NIAT “Khovar”/. The official ceremony to welcome the President of Tajikistan, who has arrived in Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on a first official visit, took place at Husseiniya Palace. After the ceremony, President Emomali Rahmon and King Abdullah II in the limited attendance talks discussed a broad range of issues of Tajik-Jordanian cooperation. Later the talks continued in the presence of both countries’ delegations.

President Emomali Rahmon expressed gratitude to King Abdullah II for the invitation to visit Jordan and cordial welcome extended to him.

The Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, stressed that “We do recognize Jordan as a powerful state in the Middle East and the Muslim world” and added that “Tajikistan is ready to further expand unbiased cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan”.

The talks featured discussions on cooperation in political, economic and trade fields, relations in the spheres of science, education, tourism, agriculture, culture and its prospects.

The two sides expressed interest in activation of direct contacts at the small and medium business levels, implementation of joint ventures in vegetable products, light industry, mining, and hydropower with encouraging use of abundant natural resources of Tajikistan, particularly water resources, precious stones and semi-precious stones, non-ferrous metals and other minerals.

In order to further develop bilateral relations between Tajikistan and the Kingdom of Jordan and enhance their cooperation the two sides welcomed the establishment of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific and Technical Cooperation. It was noted that the establishment of investment council between the two countries is considered one of the key factors for broadening trade and economic cooperation.

During the meeting, it was stressed that Tajikistan has good tourist and agricultural potential, and the Jordanian side can effectively use these advantages. In addition, unique historical cultural and traditional sites of Tajikistan and its beautiful landscapes have created favorable conditions for the development of ecotourism, reproductive health, mountaineering tourism and hunting.

In order to forge closer cooperation in various domains both sides expressed their readiness to establish joint ventures in pharmacy, fruits and vegetables processing, technical crops, honey processing, processing of agricultural products and production of safe drinking water.

It was emphasized that Tajikistan has ample opportunities and sufficient experience in training highly qualified specialists in the fields of medicine, engineering, science and agriculture. Students from different countries of the world are studying today in our higher educational institutions. The Government of Jordan can also cooperate in the field of education to train highly qualified personnel.

In a friendly atmosphere and in the spirit of mutual understanding, leaders of the two countries also discussed Tajik – Jordanian cooperation in the framework of international organizations, in particular UN, OIC. In this context, the two sides exchanged views on key international issues, including the situation in the Middle East, South Asia, and Afghanistan.

The discussions also dealt to fight terrorism, extremism, and illicit drug trade.

At the end of the meeting, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon invited the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II bin Hussein to pay an official visit to Tajikistan. The invitation was accepted with gratitude.

Following the top level talks between Tajikistan and Jordan a package of documents on cooperation was signed in the two leaders’ presence.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and King of Jordan Abdullah II adopted a Joint Declaration on strengthening cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

— Agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan forpromotion and mutual protection of investments;

— Agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital;

— Agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the field of higher education and scientific research.