Tajik capital is making preparations for hosting the next Arab Cooperation and Economic Forum with Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
On Sunday August 6, Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Egypt Khusrav Noziri met in Cairo with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
According to the Tajik MFA press center, the two discussed issues related to the Second Arab Cooperation and Economic Forum with Central Asia and Azerbaijan, which is scheduled to take place in Dushanbe on October 16, 2017.
In this regard, it was noted that the decision of the Government of Tajikistan to host the next Arab World – Central Asia and Azerbaijan Cooperation Forum demonstrates Tajikistan’s growing interest in further development and expansion of cooperation with the Arab world.
Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit reportedly accepted with gratitude the official invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan extended to him at that meeting and confirmed his participation in the work of the Dushanbe Forum.
Recall, the First Arab Cooperation and Economic Forum with Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2014.
The First Forum brought together delegations from 22 Arab League countries, five Central Asia’s nations and their neighbor across the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan.
Held by the Arab league, the forum sought to bolster political, economic and cultural cooperation between the two regions.
The participants, in particular, stressed the depth of historic, religious and cultural connections and the prospects of economic cooperation. The conference hall of Riyadh’s Intercontinental Hotel, where the forum took place, heard numerous references to traditional ties between the countries gathered, starting with the commonality of religion and the functioning of the famous Silk Road in the past, which bodes well for the development of trade and economic ties in the 21st century.
A number of agreements were signed between Arab countries and 'Central Asia and Azerbaijan', following the announcement of 'Riyadh Declaration' at the conclusion of the First Forum.
The first agreement included signing a memorandum of understanding between the Arab countries and each of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan which was signed by Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Arab League Secretary General as well as the countries' foreign ministers.
Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary General Dr. Nabil Al-Araby and Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirojidin Aslov signed a memorandum of cooperation.
