On Thursday May 20, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon held bilateral talks here with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in narrow and expanded formats, following which a number of bilateral documents were signed.
During a meeting in a narrow format, Rahmon and Tokayev discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral political and economic cooperation between their countries.
They also exchanged views on the issues of jointly combating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and mitigating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economies of the two countries.
Then they held talks in an expanded format with participation of the government delegations of the two countries, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
Further expansion of trade and economic cooperation was recognized as a priority and it was noted that Kazakhstan is Tajikistan’s second largest trading partner.
Last year, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan reportedly valued at about 1 billion U.S. dollars.
It was noted that Tajikistan is interested in collaborating with Kazakhstan in digitalization of economy, importing the state-of-the-art technologies, launching joint ventures on processing farm produce, exporting ecologically pure products to Kazakhstan and launching joint wholesale distribution centers in Tajikistan.
They sides reportedly pointed to the importance of expanding bilateral collaboration in the field of railway traffic and resuming regular flights between the capitals of the two countries.
The parties reportedly reached an agreement to launch joint ventures on the basis of Tajik industrial enterprises to process raw materials into manufactured goods.
A number of bilateral cooperation documents were signed following the negotiations:
– A joint statement by the presidents;
– An agreement between the Health Ministries of Tajikistan and Kazakhstan on cooperation in combating tuberculosis;
– Cooperation program between the Foreign Ministries of Tajikistan and Kazakhstan designed for 2021-2023;
– A memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan;
– A framework memorandum on cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan;
– A MoU on cooperation between the Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan;
– A MoU on cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan on joint implementation of the commodity-producing system creation projects.
Recall, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Dushanbe on May 19 on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. It is President Tokayev’s first foreign trip in 2021. Upon arrival at the Dushanbe International Airport, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was welcomed by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and other officials.
Diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan were established on January 7, 1993. Diplomatic mission of Tajikistan in Kazakhstan started to operate in June, 1993. Diplomatic mission of Kazakhstan, which received the Embassy status in January 2001, has operated in Dushanbe as an independent Mission since April, 1998.
Since diplomatic relations were established, the leaders of the two states had reportedly paid eight official visits.
Tajikistan and Kazakhstan have signed 100 interstate and government-to-government agreements. The fundamental document – the agreement on basic relations was signed in January 1993. The strategic partnership agreement, signed on September 14, 2015, have a special place in bilateral ties.
The countries are implementing the Trade Facilitation Roadmap 2019-2022.
Besides, the countries actively collaborate within a number of international and regional organizations such as the UN, OSCE, SCO, CICA, CSTO and CIS.
