10.06.2021

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon continued the delegation-level talks.

The talks were attended by the members of official delegations, heads of ministries and departments, khokims (governors) of the border regions of the two countries.

It was emphasized that thanks to the political commitment and joint efforts of the leaders of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, the relations of the fraternal countries have moved to a qualitatively new level of equal and mutually beneficial practical cooperation.

«Together we have done a tremendous work, which has already entered the chronicle of our relations», - Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.

The parties expressed their firm commitment and readiness to implement specific measures to enhance the strategic partnership.

A particular attention was paid to further increasing the trade and economic cooperation, enhancing industrial cooperation, developing transport and interregional interactions, effectively using the huge energy potential, continuing cultural and humanitarian exchanges, strengthening partnerships in countering modern challenges and threats.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted that despite the positive dynamics, it is important to find the new «growth points» for a twofold increase in trade turnover next year. For these purposes, as stated by our President, it is important to complete the coordination of the abolition of exemptions from the free trade regime and the elimination of non-tariff barriers in the near future.

It is also necessary to increase the volume and expand the range of mutual supplies, look for opportunities for jointly accessing the markets of third countries.

In addition, it was proposed to study the creation of a joint center for border trade.

The leader of our country highlighted that Uzbekistan is interested in expanding the industrial cooperation between the regions and leading enterprises of the two countries.

«There are real examples of successful cooperation and specific plans for the future».

«We are talking about organizing the assembly of Uzbek vehicles, the production of modern transformers and agricultural equipment, the expansion of the production of household appliances, construction materials, yarn and textiles, and other joint projects in our countries», - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In this regard, it is necessary to organize the effective activities of the established joint investment company based on advanced foreign expertise and make the most of its opportunities to promote the projects.

It was emphasized that the interaction in the field of transport and transit traffic is a strategic direction. The President of Uzbekistan proposed to effectively use the transit potential of each other, expand aviation and resume bus transportation between the cities of the two countries.

The President of our country noted the importance of establishing a direct systemic dialogue in the context of regions and districts of the two countries.

The first Forum of Regions, held yesterday in the city of Bokhtar, Khatlon Region, has once again showed the effectiveness of cooperation in this format.

«To promptly resolve issues, regional leaders must agree on step-by-step «action plans» and hold local meetings at least once a month», - emphasized Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The issues of effective use of the huge hydropower potential of the two countries and the continuation of a constructive and mutually beneficial dialogue on water use issues were discussed.

The leaders agreed to continue their traditionally active humanitarian exchanges. The President of our state proposed to implement the Program of joint cultural events to mark the 30th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations, as well as organize the Festival of Youth of the two countries, publish anthology of books of modern Uzbek and Tajik literature in Dushanbe and Tashkent.

During the talks, the sides noted the importance of strengthening cooperation in combating modern challenges and threats, especially against the backdrop of the emerging situation in Afghanistan.

It was emphasized that Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are in favor of promoting the peace negotiation process on Afghanistan, as well as the implementation of projects and programs aimed at the socio-economic development of this country, including active involvement in regional economic partnership.

The parties confirmed their readiness to continue the interactions and mutual support in the framework of international and regional structures, such as the UN, CIS, SCO, OIC, ECO, Agency of IFAS and others.

President Emomali Rahmon emphasized that Tajikistan values ​​the achieved level of interactions with brotherly Uzbekistan, and this is the great merit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He has stressed that during the talks, specific guidelines for the upcoming work were identified and their results will become a new factor in further enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.