ISLAMABAD, June 2 (APP): Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon on Wednesday expressed his country’s interest to access Pakistan’s Gwadar and Karachi seaports as the ‘shortest trade route’ for the landlocked Central Asian state to connect with the region.
The Tajik president, in this regard, supported establishment of a ‘trade corridor’ passing through Pakistan, as he addressed at a joint press stakeout along with Prime Minister Imran Khan here at the PM House.
The two leaders, who earlier held wide-ranging discussions on diverse areas of cooperation, expressed willingness to further strengthen the bilateral multifaceted ties.
President Emomali Rahmon stressed “full-fledged cooperation” between Tajikistan and Pakistan to manage energy and water resources and also tapping the potential of Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) power project.
President Rahmon termed Pakistan a “reliable and trustworthy partner” of Tajikistan at international stage, where the two countries had similarity of agenda to pursue a mutually beneficial cooperation.
He mentioned that his talks with PM Imran Khan focused on inter-governmental cooperation in fields of economy, parliaments, energy, agriculture, healthcare and COVID-19 situation.
Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed President Emomali Rahmon and mentioned the positive discussions held with him in areas of trade, defence production, climate change and common challenges including post-troops withdrawal scenario in Afghanistan.
The prime minister expressed confidence that the Agreements and MoUs signed during the visit of Tajik president would lead to stronger relationship between the two countries.
AFGHANISTAN:
Prime Minister Imran Khan said in the realm of “common challenge” faced by Pakistan and Tajikistan, both sides agreed that peace in Afghanistan was a priority.
“If the U.S. troops withdrawal from Afghanistan similar to what Russia did in 1989, we both are concerned about the security to our trade and connectivity,” he said.
He said Pakistan and Tajikistan in their delegation-level talks held unanimity of views that a consensus political government in Afghanistan was vital for peace of the region.
President Emomali said in the rapidly changing global situation, “Tajikistan and Pakistan needed strong cooperation in anti-terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crimes”.
Peace in Afghanistan, he said, was of “dire importance” for the immediate neighbours such as Tajikistan and Pakistan.
ISLAMOPHOBIA:
Both the leaders expressed concern over the rising trend of Islamophobia in the world and called for a joint action by Muslim countries and organizations including Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).
Pakistan, Tajikistan ink 12 accords of cooperation in diverse areas
Pakistan and Tajikistan on Wednesday entered into 12 accords for cooperation in diverse fields including trade, anti-corruption, infrastructure, education and culture.
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister Imran Khan witnessed the signing ceremony as the representatives from two sides signed the Agreements and the Memoranda of Understanding.
The two leaders also signed a Joint Declaration encompassing details of discussions taken place during the visit of President Rahmon.
The Agreements and MoU signed for cooperation in different areas include;
TRADE:
1. Agreement on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Tajikistan and Chamber of Commerce & Industry Quetta Balochistan
2. Agreement on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Pakistan
3. MoU between Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan.
EDUCATION:
4. Academic cooperation Agreement between Tajik Technical University named after academician M. S Osimi and Indus University of Pakistan
5. MOU between Tajik Institute of Languages, Dushanbe Tajikistan and National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Pakistan.
6. MoU between Technological University of Tajikistan and COMSATS University Islamabad
ANTI-CORRUPTION & EMERGENCY SITUATIONS:
7. MoU between Agency for State Financial Control & Struggle against Corruption of the Republic of Tajikistan and National Accountability Bureau, Pakistan.
8. Agreement between the governments of Tajikistan and Pakistan for cooperation in the field of Prevention & Liquidation of Emergency Situations.
CULTURE:
9. Agreement between the two governments in the field of Art and Culture
BILATERAL & REGIONAL COOPERATION:
10. Cooperation Programme between Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tajikistan
11. Agreement on International Road Transport
12. Joint Declaration on Next Steps in Building Strategic Partnership for Regional Solidarity and Integration.
