DUSHABE, August 16, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon, who is currently in Bishkek to take part at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, yesterday held a number of bilateral meetings, presidential press service said.
Abdufattoh Sharifzoda, a spokesman for the president, said that President Rahmon on August 15 met with his Chinese counterpart, President Hu Jintao. In the course of the talks Rahmon appreciated China’s financial and technical assistance in implementation of a number of projects in Tajikistan.
During the meeting it was noted that President Rahmon’s visit to China in January this year had given a new impulse to further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and China.
In 2006, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and China was estimated at $160 million, while over the first six months of this year alone, it has already reached $100 million, which 60 percent more than in the same period of last year.
The two exchanged views on a progress of implementation of bilateral agreements in the fields of hydropower, transport and telecommunications, mining, financial and banking systems, and confirmed readiness for further development of relations.
Rahmon and Hu considered it necessary to expand cooperation to launch cotton-processing enterprises and develop other sectors, which could drive the bilateral trade between the two countries, the spokesman said. According to Sharifzoda, Chinese leader said that his country is ready to provide additional assistance to Tajikistan with establishment of enterprises for processing cotton fiber.
Sharifzoda added that Hu Jintao had accepted Rahmon’s invitation to visit Tajikistan next year.
The sides also discussed regional and international issues being of mutual interest.
The same day, Emomali Rahmon met with Kyrgyzstan’s President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and the UN Deputy Secretary General Lynn Pasco.
Yesterday, the SCO leaders gathered for an informal dinner at the Ala Archa government residence at the foothills on the southern outskirts of Bishkek. Also taking part at the meeting were the leaders of Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia, the foreign minister of Pakistan, and the Indian minister of oil and natural gas, who had been invited as observers or guests of honor.
The SCO Council will gather for a session today morning in a narrow format. Then the session will continue within an extended format. The SCO leaders are expected to give speeches. Documents will be signed and a joint statement will be made on the results of the summit.
After the end of the summit, the SCO leaders will leave for Russia’s Chelyabinsk region to observe the Peace Mission-2007 anti-terrorist exercise.
