On Thursday July 1, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met here with Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, who is in Dushanbe on an official visit, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
In the course of the talks, the parties reportedly discussed issues related to expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkey in various areas being of mutual interest, including collaboration between the defense ministries of the two countries.
During the discussion of issues of ensuring regional security, the parties reportedly considered it necessary to establish cooperation in addressing modern challenges and threats.
Due to the aggravation of the situation the activation of extremist and terrorist groups in different regions of the world, Rahmon and Akar emphasized the need to join efforts of the international community in the fight against them, the Tajik president’s official website said.
They also exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan.
Khovar new agency says that during a press conference, Turkish defense minister said that said that he had informed Emomali Rahmon about the intention of the President of Turkey to visit Tajikistan in the near future.
Meanwhile Turkish media reports say that the Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on June 30 met in Dushanbe with his Tajik counterpart, Colonel-General Sherali Mirzo.
According to Morning Express, Hulusi Akar stated before the start of negotiations with Sherali Mirzo that Ankara is ready to deepen cooperation with Dushanbe in the field of defense, security and defense industry. He reportedly also announced Turkey’s readiness to share with Tajikistan its experience in ensuring border security and combating terrorism.
Anadolu Agency says Akar and Mirzo first had a one-on-one meeting and then chaired a meeting between the Turkish and Tajik delegations.
During the meeting, the defense ministers reportedly discussed bilateral and regional defense and security issues.
Underlining important historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two countries, Akar said Tajikistan is an important partner for Turkey in Central Asia.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence, Akar said Turkey is ready to deepen its cooperation with Tajikistan in defense and security areas and to share experience on border security and counter-terrorism.
Akar also stressed the importance of the current constructive cooperation between the two sides in the fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) — the group behind the defeated 2016 coup in Turkey.
Mirzo, for his part, underlined the importance of further increasing the cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.
He also stressed the successful cooperation between the two countries in international and regional forums.
Tajikistan and Turkey take a common stance on important issues of international and regional politics, Mirzo said.
On Tuesday June 29, Hulusi Akar heading a Turkish military delegation paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan. During his meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Taalaybek Omuraliyev, Akar noted that Kyrgyzstan's political stability and social peace is a priority for Turkey, according to Daily Sabbah. The Turkish defense minister added that Ankara would continue its support for Kyrgyzstan's peace, stability and welfare.
