DUSHANBE, December 25, Asia-Plus - President Emomali Rahmonov headed the Tajik delegation at the funeral of the late Turkmen leader, Saparmurat Niyazov, Sunday, presidential press service reported.  

On December 24, during his stay in Ashgabat, Rahmonov familiarized himself with work of the Tajik Embassy in Ashgabat.  The same day, Rahmonov held a number of bilateral meetings.  

President Rahmonov met in Ashgabat with Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, who headed the US delegation at the funeral of late Turkmen President.  The two discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States, as well as present situation in the Central Asian region and Afghanistan.  According to presidential press service, Boucher noted that the United States will continue supporting enhancement of Tajikistan’s energy sector that will promote further economic development of Tajikistan and transmission of electrical power from Tajikistan to Afghanistan.   

Rahmonov’s discussions with Kyrgyzstan’s Security Council Secretary Adakhan Madumarov focused on the present socioeconomic and political situation in Central Asia, use of the two countries’ water and power resources, as well as creation of regional energy market.   

President Rahmonov’s meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz focused on expansion of energy cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan.  

President Rahmonov also met in Ashgabat with India’s Minister for Energy Resources Saifiddin Saz.  In the course of the talks the two discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and India.