DUSHANBE, 26.01.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – President Emomali Rahmon in his annual address to the Supreme Assembly noted that during its independence Tajikistan has established diplomatic relations with 178 countries and became an active member of international and regional organizations.

In this context, according to President, Tajikistan has been strengthening friendly relations and cooperation in all areas, first of all with close neighbors — Central Asian states, as well as with the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which are of particular importance in Tajikistan’s system of interstate relations, and set to further pursue this policy.

The address reads that the issues of strengthening and expansion of multifaceted cooperation with strategic and development partners — Russia, China, the European Union and the United States of America will remain as a priority in Tajikistan’s foreign policy.

“Based on our long-term national strategic goals, we will also develop and expand friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with friendly countries of the Islamic World, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, Africa and America,” said President.

The government of Tajikistan since 2007 has been reforming the system of movement of foreign citizens and has established a simplified visa procedure for citizens of 112 countries.

It is necessary to further improve this process in order to attract more foreign tourists and investors.

“We will establish partnership relations and continue strengthening cooperation with the world community within the international and regional organizations. In this regard, we will continue and expand our cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, development partners as well as international and regional financial institutions,” mentioned Emomali Rahmon.