French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Friday, November 8. The official welcoming ceremony was followed by talks.
According to the Tajik president’s website, Emomali Rahmon and Emmanuel Macron had a one-on-one discussion. Later the talks continued in expanded format, focusing on further expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and France.
President of Tajikistan reportedly expressed his satisfaction with the constantly expanding Tajikistan-France cooperation based on a spirit of mutual respect and considering the national interests.
Tajikistan and France share similar stances on the issues relating to climate change, the fight against security threats and challenges, such as international terrorism and extremism.
Interaction within the inter-ministerial political consultations, further expansion of cooperation in various areas of trade, economy and investment, humanitarian and cultural spheres, strengthening cooperation in the areas of civil aviation, energy, transport logistics, telecommunications, engineering, agriculture, and tourism, health care were mentioned as vitally important.
Extraction and processing of minerals, light and food industry, chemical, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, including aluminum production are promising areas for further cooperation. The counterparts mentioned the importance of French companies in the implementation of projects related to the infrastructure and energy, industry, agriculture and health care in Tajikistan for the enhancement of economic engagements.
Rahmon and Macron also discussed cooperation between their countries within the framework of international organizations, including the European Union.
Tajikistan and France share the same vision of ensuring sustainable development, strengthening peace and stability, combating security threats, and promoting constructive global initiatives. Both countries have been supporting each other's initiatives, including Tajikistan's initiative, regarding which United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution on declaring “International Decade (2018–2028) for Action – Water for Sustainable Development."
The two sides also exchanged views on the fight against global threats and challenges, in particular terrorism, extremism, smuggling of humans, drugs and weapons.
Tajikistan has been a supporter of constructive initiatives geared toward achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan, and is interested in strengthening cooperation with all stakeholders in this regard, because ensuring security in Afghanistan is an important factor in sustaining stability in Central Asia.
President Macron proposed establishing a dialogue between France and the Central Asian nations at the level of foreign ministers.
At the end of the meeting, President Emomali Rahmon invited President Macron to visit Tajikistan, which was accepted with pleasure.
After the talks the following five new cooperation documents were signed in the presence of both state leaders:
– An agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the French Republic on air services;
– A declaration on cooperation in the field of tourism between Tajikistan’s Tourism Development Committee and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France;
– A declaration on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France for 2019-2023.
– A declaration of intention between the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France on cooperation between the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and the French Institute for Central Asian Studies (IFEAC).
– A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on educational cooperation between the National University of Tajikistan and the University Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne.
Totally, 11 new cooperation documents were signed during President Emomali Rahmon's official visit to France, the Tajik president’s press service said.
It has been the first visit of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to France since 2002.
