Kazakhstan, Tajikistan discuss current state of ties, development of cooperation

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kazakhstan and Tajikistan on Tuesday discussed the current state of their relations and the development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, amid a visit by Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to the Tajik capital Dushanbe.

“The parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation between the countries in priority trade and economic areas, especially energy, agriculture, transport, finance and banking, investment, education, culture and tourism,” the Tajik presidency said following talks between Bektenov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Indicating that a range of issues related to the friendship and cooperation between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan were discussed at the meeting, the statement said the trade turnover between Astana and Dushanbe amounted to about $1.15 billion and that joint measures must be taken to increase this figure.

“It is gratifying that the strategic partnership between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan is developing dynamically in all areas, and we are interested in further strengthening the foundations of cooperation between the two countries,” Rahmon was quoted as saying.

The statement said the two sides recognized the need to use the potential of the Kazakh-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation more effectively.

They further noted the ability of both sides to implement large-scale industrial projects that will benefit both Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the statement said, adding that they underlined the importance of attracting investment to promising sectors such as light, mining, food and chemical industries, non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

It also said the meeting recognized the strengthening of cooperation in the field of agriculture and increasing exports of products from this industry to Kazakhstan as an important area.

“Kazakhstan highly values your personal contribution to the formation and development of our relations. We consider Tajikistan as a reliable, strategic partner and ally; there are no and have not been unresolved issues between our countries, all of them are being resolved in the spirit of alliance and brotherhood,” Bektenov was also quoted as saying.

Both parties went on to discuss bilateral cooperation under international and regional organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.