Tajik Leader Upbeat on Cooperation With China

Text of report by Tajik president’s website on 27 August

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s statement for the media.

Dear representatives of the media, an official visit by the head of friendly People’s Republic of China, a big friend of Tajikistan, Hu Jintao, is a milestone in the new history of relations of good- neighbourliness between the two nations.

The dialogue which was held in the spirit of mutual understanding, which is traditional for us, once again demonstrated commonality of approaches and views of our countries on prospects for developing bilateral relations, and also on topical international and regional issues.

The president and I once again stressed our mutual interest in all-round strengthening of our partnership, which is aimed at long- term future based on principles of the treaty of good- neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation, which is the firm foundation for promoting our cooperation in all areas.

It was noted with satisfaction that Tajik-Chinese cooperation was on rise. It is also reflected in those large-scale projects, which are currently being implemented in Tajikistan, and in a sustainable trend in the growth of trade between the two countries.

The fact that currently over 80 leading Chinese companies are successfully operating in our country in such spheres as telecommunications, construction and modernization of motorways and power transmission lines and services sector testifies to this.

Both sides have had a common view that it is necessary to do everything possible to expand spheres of cooperation. Particularly, there is an interest in cooperation in such spheres as hydropower generation, mining, as well as light, food and processing sectors of industry.

Taking into account the strategic importance of power generation for us, I want to declare that there are specific best practices of the construction of hydroelectric power stations on Tajikistan’s internal rivers and thermal power stations using coal.

Experts from the two countries will soon discuss specific aspects and technical side of the issue, and we hope that these projects will be implemented in the near future.

You witnessed the signing of a large number of documents, which shows that the president’s visit has been fruitful. They define concretely our cooperation in all the above areas and they should give them a new quality.

We have discussed the situation in the region and reached an agreement to further coordinate our stances and approaches on topical global and regional issues. Tajikistan and China particularly spoke for further strengthening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO] as an efficient mechanism of multilateral actions.

We express hope that the forthcoming SCO summit to be held in Dushanbe will be an important step in strengthening the role of the organization.

The Tajik side is full of optimism with regard to prospects for developing cooperation with its big neighbour.

We are convinced that President Hu Jintao’s visit will enter the chronicle of relations of friendship and good-neighbourliness between Tajikistan and China as a bright page. With great pleasure, I will ask Mr President to share with us his views about the results of the talks and his vision of future Tajik-Chinese cooperation.

Originally published by Tajik president’s website, Dushanbe, in Tajik 0001 27 Aug 08.

(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Central Asia. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.