Kazakhstan, Tajikistan agree to expand trade, economic cooperation

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday called Tajikistan a "reliable strategic partner" during a meeting with his visiting Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in the capital Astana, where both leaders agreed to expand trade and economic cooperation.

“For many years, Kazakhstan has been the second largest trading partner of Tajikistan. Last year alone, bilateral trade grew by 18.5%, amounting to $1.4 billion. In the current conditions, this is a good result,” Tokayev said, according to a statement issued by the Kazakh presidency.

Tokayev announced at the meeting a "solid package" of new agreements aimed at further expanding cooperation in various economic sectors that will be signed between the two countries during Rahmon's visit, the statement said.

The two countries also signed a Declaration on Allied Interaction, which Tokayev described as "symbolic," the statement said, adding that the two presidents discussed the prospects for further development of cooperation between Astana and Dushanbe.

They paid special attention to expanding trade and economic cooperation, including in industries, agriculture, and transportation, it added.

Rahmon, for his part, referred to Tajikistan and Kazakhstan as "strategic partners," saying their bilateral relations have a stable development and that Dushanbe attaches great importance to strengthening ties.

“Kazakhstan today ranks second among the leading trading partners of Tajikistan. We maintain an active dialogue in other areas as well. We are ready to discuss with you the socioeconomic prospects for the development of our countries, as well as international and regional issues,” Rahmon was quoted in the statement as saying.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​