UPDATE - Tajikistan, UK discuss expansion of interparliamentary relations

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Tajikistan and the UK on Monday discussed the expansion of interparliamentary relations between the two countries amid the first-ever visit by Britain’s top diplomat to the Central Asian country since the establishment of bilateral ties.

“During the meeting, the parties discussed relations between the two countries in the political, economic, trade, cultural and humanitarian spheres. One of the important topics of the meeting was the expansion of interparliamentary relations,” said a Tajik presidential statement following talks between Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron in the capital Dushanbe.

Stating that the meeting addressed issues regarding cooperation between Tajikistan and the UK, the statement said both parties expressed interest in developing cooperation toward green energy production and the transition to a green economy.

The statement further said the meeting underlined the need to attract investment to Tajikistan from the UK, particularly in the mining, metallurgical, light, food, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.

“We consider the UK an important partner in Western Europe. Our country pays great attention to the development and strengthening of multifaceted relations with the Kingdom,” Rahmon was also quoted as saying.

The statement went on to say that cooperation between Tajikistan and the UK in ensuring security and stability in the region was also discussed at the meeting.

For his part, Cameron expressed satisfaction with the noticeable expansion of multifaceted relations between his country and Tajikistan, as well as their “good prospects,” the statement added.

Cameron later held talks with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin, after which the two diplomats signed an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries, paving the way for the opening of direct flights between Dushanbe and London, according to a Tajik Foreign Ministry statement.

The British Foreign Office announced in a later statement that Cameron embarked on a visit to Central Asian countries – namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – and Mongolia "as part of government ambition to increase engagement with this pivotal region of the world."

"Central Asia is at the epicentre of some of the biggest challenges we face and it’s vital for the UK and the region that we drive forward its future prosperity," Cameron was quoted as saying.