DUSHANBE, March 18, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik-Turkmen intergovernmental negotiations that took place in the Tajik capital today resulted in signing of seven documents.

President Emomali Rahmon and his Turkmen counterpart, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov signed a joint statement.

After the negotiations, the following six government-to-government and interagency agreements were signed in the presence of the presidents: a government-to-government agreement on cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in the field of communications and informatization; an agreement on cooperation in the field of standardization, metrology, certification and accreditation; an agreement on cooperation between the Ministries of Justice of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan; a protocol of cooperation between MFAs of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for 2010-2011; a protocol on cooperation between Turkmen national air carrier, Turkmenhovayollary, and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Tajikistan; and an agreement on cooperation between the National Olympic Committees of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

After signing of the documents, the presidents gave a news conference.

President Rahmon, in particular, noted that a state visit of Turkmen President to Tajikistan was fruitful.  “Further development of our relations meets vital interests of our countries and peoples,” noted Tajik leader, “We are interested in further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkmenistan in energy, transportation and communication sectors.”

He noted that in the course of the talks, they discussed issues related to organization of Days of Culture of Tajikistan and Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan as well as ways to support establishment of peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan.

“I brought Tajikistan’s position on rational use of water-and-energy resources in our country to the Turkmen side’s notice.  This position does not harm interests of other countries of the region,” President Rahmon stressed.

According to him, issues related to implementation of joint projects for construction of automotive roads and rail links and gas pipeline from Turkmenistan via Afghanistan to Tajikistan were also among major topics of the talks.

For his part, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov noted, “Our relations are dynamically developing in all spheres.”  “We attach significance to expansion of cooperation with Tajikistan, which is an important and reliable partner of our country in the region.”

On the use of water resources in Turkmenistan, Turkmen leader noted that construction of water reservoirs on territory of Turkmenistan would promote protection of environment and rational use of water resources.

After the briefing, President Emomali Rahmon bestowed the Order of Ismoili Somoni on his Turkmen counterpart for his great contributions to development of Tajik-Turkmen relations.