On the sidelines of the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qingdao, China, the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon had a meeting with President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain.

President Emomali Rahmon expressed his satisfaction with the achieved significant progress in bilateral ties between the two countries and profound Tajikistani side’s interest for their further expansion.

During the meeting that took place in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding the parties emphasized the further expansion of cooperation, in particular, the possibility of deepening economic, military, energy cooperation. Joint promotion of infrastructure projects was considered as a pragmatic way to expand regional cooperation and to ensure security and stability in the region.

Speaking about further expansion of trade and economic cooperation, the two sides acknowledged the importance of qualitative work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

While discussing the Tajikistani – Pakistani energy cooperation, the two sides emphasized the necessity of timely implementation of the CASA-1000 Project.

The normalization of the situation in Afghanistan and the establishment of peace and stability in that country were recognized as very important for Tajikistan and Pakistan.The two leaders also discussed the strengthening of regional security and stability, fight against manifestations of terrorism and religious extremism, illicit drug trafficking and organized crime as well as regional and other international issues of mutual interest.