The program of an official visit of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to Turkmenistan began today in the morning with the solemn ceremony of official welcome near the “Oguzkhan” Palace of the President of Turkmenistan.

Afterwards, a tête-a-tête meeting was held between the heads of both states Emomali Rahmon and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during which a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international cooperation of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have been reviewed.

It was expressed confidence that this trip will give a serious impetus to the enhancement of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

It is expected to sign a number of new cooperation documents as a result of official meetings and negotiations.

A wide discussion of bilateral cooperation issues has been held during the official top-level negotiations with participation of delegations of both sides.

It was expressed satisfaction over the development of political relations, economic-trade, scientific and technical as well as cultural cooperation between the two countries.

It was stressed that in order to increase the economic and trade cooperation indicators it is necessary to realize abundant opportunities and resources in different sectors of energy sphere, such as extraction and processing of oil and gas, development of hydropower as well as enhancement of transport and transit links.

 Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted his interest in boosting the volume of export of oil and gas products to Tajikistan, enhancement of transport and transit links and, in general, increase of economic and trade cooperation indicators.

Emomali Rahmon, with reference to unity or closeness of positions of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan on major regional and international issues, as well as to abundant opportunities and resources for development of cooperation, expressed confidence that the volume of goods turnover between the two countries can increase for several times in the coming years.

As a result of official meetings and talks 8 new cooperation documents have been signed:

Agreement on Cooperation between the chambers of commerce and industry of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan;

Agreement between the National Bank of Tajikistan and Ministry of Finance of Turkmenistan on cooperation in fight against laundering of money obtained by criminal means and financing terrorism;

Agreement on Cooperation between the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan;

Programme of Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of Turkmenistan in Spheres of Culture and Art for 2013-2014;

Programme of Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for 2013-2014;

Intergovernmental Agreement on Mutual Allocation of Land Plots for Placement of Embassy of Tajikistan in Turkmenistan and Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan;

The signing ceremony of documents has been finalized by the signing of Joint Declaration of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan by the heads of both states Emomali Rahmon and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

In Ashgabat the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has been solemnly decorated with the highest state award – order of the President of Turkmenistan “Bitaraplyk” (Neutrality).

As it was noted, the Head of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has been granted this highest state award thanks to his personal worthy contribution in strengthening regional security and stability, developing friendly relationship and multidimensional mutually advantageous cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as well as support of neutral position of this country in the world arena.    

It was reminded that Emomali Rahmon is the fourth person to be decorated with this highest state award.

Since now this award has been received by the first President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov, current President of this state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and former Chairman of Parliament of Turkmenistan Owezgeldi Atayev.

The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for such high recognition and called it as a worthy award to the entire people of Tajikistan.