In a statement delivered at the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Dushanbe, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said on June 15 that Tajikistan during its Chairmanship in the Conference is of view that the primary task is to ensure comprehensive support to develop a constructive dialogue and full-fledged interaction between the member states through continued confidence building measures and promotion of prosperity and harmonized development of the entire Asian Region.
Tajik leader noted that the vast region of Asia is currently faced with new challenges, in which historical destinies of peoples are closely intertwined in pursuit of economic expansion, joint sustainable development and progress.
Tajikistan highlights the importance of further promotion of peace, stability and security in Asia, deepening multifaceted cooperation and implementation of confidence building measures in political, economic, environmental and humanitarian areas within the CICA, Rahmon said.
He further noted that the growing scale of terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and cybercrime continue posing threat to international and regional security. Countering these threats requires from all member states of the Conference undertaking immediate joint measures.
Having experienced civil war in early 1990s, the people of Tajikistan reportedly understand the value of peace, stability and absolute necessity for its maintenance and strengthening.
According to Rahmon, effective resistance to these challenges and threats to security urges implementing a set of measures aimed at improving social lives of our communities, reducing poverty and addressing unemployment.
Tajik leader said Tajikistan is seriously concerned over the difficult situation in neighboring Afghanistan. Taking effective measures and further coordination of efforts of the international community, including CICA member states in this area can provide a tangible solution to the Afghan case. “In this context, facilitation to engagement of Afghanistan into the process of regional integration within the five dimensions of the Conference can play an important role,” Rahmon stressed.
“Strengthening economic cooperation is key in our engagement in the region’s sustainable growth. It is in our common interest to give full play to the region’s transit capacity through accelerated modernization and construction of new connectivity infrastructure facilities,” Tajik leader said.
