DUSHANBE, October 24, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik Resident Emomali Rahmon’s first visit to Finland began on October 23 from a meeting with natives of Tajikistan currently residing in Finland, the Tajik president’s official website reports.

During the meeting, Emomali Rahmon noted that during his visits to other countries, he always tries to meet with natives of Tajikistan.

To-date, Tajikistan has established diplomatic relations with 124 countries of the word and signed some 1,500 cooperation documents with them, the president noted.

Rahmon noted that relations of Tajikistan with the European countries have passed out the stage of “mutual acquaintance” and they are now at the stage of “expecting for steps towards each other” and natives of Tajikistan residing in Europe could play an important role in promoting expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the European countries.

The head of state added that Tajik government is interested in getting natives of Tajikistan currently residing abroad involved in the constructive process in the country. 

According to the Tajik president’s official website, Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, State Adviser to the President for Foreign Policy Erkin Rahmatulloyev, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sharif Rahimzoda, Minister of Finance Safarali Najmiddinov, Ombudsman Zarif Alizoda, Head of Main Geology Directorate under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Azim Ibrohim and some other officials are accompanying President Rahmon on his trip to Finland.