DUSHANBE, November 26, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and turkey were discussed at a meeting of President Emomali Rahmon with visiting Turkey’s Foreign Minster Ali Babacan on November 26.  

Following his meeting with President Rahmon, Turkish minister told reporters that contacts between the leaders of the two countries were systematic.  “The presidents of Tajikistan and Turkey has met this year as well and my visit will give an opportunity to make preparations for visit of the Turkish president to Tajikistan, which is scheduled for the spring of next year,” Mr. Babacan said.

He underlined the excellent level of political relations between the two countries, noting that economic cooperation between them was expanding rapidly.  

Turkish foreign minister also highly appraised bilateral cooperation between Turkey and Tajikistan in the fields of culture and education.  According to him, more than 1,000 Tajik students have studied in Turkey.  

On the Tajik-Turkish lyceums network in Tajikistan, Mr. Babacan noted that students at those lyceums were an important cultural and educational bridge between the two peoples.  

Today, Turkish minister is also holding meeting with students from the Department of International Relations at Tajik National University in Dushanbe.  

On Thursday, Mr. Ali Babacan is expected to visit the Jaloliddin Memorial Complex in the city of Qurghon Teppa, the capital of the Khatlon province.