DUSHANBE, February 12, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon, paid a visit to NATO Headquarters on February 11, and met with Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

In the course of the talks, President Rahmon noted that NATO, which was one of important components of providing security in Afghanistan, should establish active cooperation with neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, which had a long common border with Afghanistan, according to presidential press service.

Tajik leader pointed to the necessity of intensifying fight against drug trafficking and implementing socioeconomic programs in Afghanistan along with military operations.

Rahmon and de Hoop Scheffer also discussed specific areas of cooperation which could be deepened including in the context of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).  De Hoop Scheffer highly appraised a role of Tajikistan in the region and the level of cooperation within the framework of the NATO Partnership for Peace program.

The sides also discussed issues related to providing up-to-date technical equipment to Tajik border troops and establishment of an active cooperation between them and their Afghan colleagues as well as training of personnel and holding of scientific researches.

Use of NATO’s potential for implementation of hydroelectricity projects in Tajikistan was one of major topics of the talks, the press service said.

The sides also considered issues related to opening of the NATO special center in Tajikistan, establishment of rescue center in Dushanbe that will be provided with modern equipment.  They also discussed the upcoming meeting that would be held in Astana, Kazakhstan within the framework of the Partnership for Peace program.  President Rahmon invited NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to pay an official visit to Tajikistan.

According to NATO’s website, President Rahmon and Mr. De Hoop Scheffer then inaugurated an exhibition of selected paintings from major Tajik artists.  “Building trust and confidence in international relations...[is also achieved] by getting to know each other”, said the Secretary General during his opening speech.

Cooperation between NATO and Tajikistan intensified in February 2002 when Tajikistan joined the Alliance’s Partnership for Peace program.