DUSHANBE, October 8, 2011, Asia-Plus — U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman visited Tajikistan on October 7 to build support for the vision of a secure, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan in a secure, stable, and prosperous region, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe reports.
He yesterday met with President Emomali Rahmon to discuss the upcoming Conference for Security and Cooperation in the Heart of Asia in Istanbul on November 2 and the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn on December 5, to express thanks for Tajikistan’s support of NATO efforts in Afghanistan, and to discuss issues of mutual concern. Ambassador Grossman reiterated the United States’ intention to continue cooperation with the Tajik government in the future.
After meeting with President Emomali Rahmon, Ambassador Grossman remarked, “I am grateful for the support of the government here for the conference in Istanbul and the conference in Bonn. I am also grateful for the President’s advice on the New Silk Road.”
The New Silk Road vision is a shared commitment to promote private sector investment, increase regional trade and transit, and foster a network of linkages throughout the region that will attract new sources of foreign private sector investment and connect to markets abroad, while generating new resources, markets, investment opportunities, and prosperity for the entire region.
