DUSHANBE, April 5, 2010, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon’s state visit to Brunei Darussalam has resulted in the signing of four documents, the Tajik presidential press service said.
We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon arrived in Brunei Darussalam Saturday (April 3) morning after his visit to Singapore.
On April 3, Tajik president held talks with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Brunei media reported that President Rahmon was briefed on Brunei’s industry, diversification program, national development and business opportunities. The Tajik president also toured places of interest.
According to the Tajik presidential press service, President Rahmon and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah discussed establishment of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation between their countries.
The sides came to an agreement on the launch of joint ventures for food processing as well as participation of the Brunei investors in development of mineral resources in Tajikistan. President Rahmon invited His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah to pay an official visit to Tajikistan.
The talks resulted in signing of documents; namely, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on economic, trade, investment, technical, education, cultural, youth and sports cooperation, an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, a government-to-government agreement on visa-free regime for holders of diplomatic and service passports, as well as a protocol between the MFAs of the two countries on conducting bilateral consultations, the Tajik presidential press service said.
In the meantime, The Brunei Times reported on April 4 that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on April 3 said the visit by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon was a testimony that the Sultanate was no longer cut off from countries in Central Asia. He added that the testimony of the visit was significant and had its long-term meaning.
The monarch also lauded President Rahmon for leading his people into meeting the trials and needs of modern times. “For almost two decades, you have led your people in their national efforts to meet domestic and regional challenges bravely and steadfastly in peace, stability and tolerance,” His Majesty said.
As Tajikistan is set to host the upcoming Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meeting, His Majesty said he would be joining the international community at Dushanbe in May to congratulate the people of Tajikistan, as it indicated their commitment to the “brotherhood of our faith and to the principle of international peace and goodwill among all people”.
The monarch noted that one of the important aspects of their work as leaders, was to help their people understand and absorb those changes well with confidence and in security. “So, I am pleased that we have agreed on a number of areas in which we can work together,” His Majesty said.
President Rahmon, for his part, called the invitation extended to him by His Majesty to visit here “a striking illustration” of sincere respect and attention of both countries, and a “joint will” towards the enhancement of relationships between the two nations.
The Tajikistan leader went on to praise the people of the Sultanate by saying: “We see our real and candid friends represented by Brunei and express a willingness to strengthen and boost this mutual feelings of the two nations.” He noted that in order to maintain and enhance the friendly relations between states, there needed to be regular political and constructive dialogues, expanding and progressive cooperation, cultural ties as well as people-to-people contacts.
