DUSHANBE, October 26, 2015, Asia-Plus - Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Tajikistan as part of his tour of Central Asia’s nations on October 24.  On the same day he met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, Rahmon and Abe discussed a number of issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral friendly relations between Tajikistan and Japan.

In the course of the talks, Rahmon noted that Tajikistan attached significance to its cooperation with Japan and mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan was one of priorities of Tajikistan’s foreign policy.

“We consider your country as a reliable partner and our choice has stood the test of time,” Rahmon said.

He expressed confidence that the first visit of Japanese Prime Minister to Tajikistan would promote further expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Mr. Abe, for his part, noted that Tajikistan plays an important role in Central Asia and confirmed his country’s interest in further expansion of bilateral cooperation with Tajikistan, the Tajik president’s website said.

Meanwhile, Japanese media report that the bilateral cooperation was touted in a joint statement following a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Abe and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe.

“Based on the achievements made in the talks, I will make efforts to further develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries,” Abe, the first Japanese prime minister to visit Tajikistan, said.

The Japan Time , in particular, says the two leaders also agreed on bilateral efforts to strengthen border control to prevent narcotics and weapons flowing into Tajikistan from neighboring Afghanistan, noting that the stability of Tajikistan and other central Asian countries was crucial for global society, the statement said.

Japan and Tajikistan also hope the framework will help prevent money laundering in an effort to counter terrorism.

Regarding agricultural assistance, Japan will help Tajikistan combat the damage to crops from locust plagues by working with the Food and Agriculture Organization on research to eradicate the insects.

It will also help with a project to rehabilitate water supply systems in the Panj district, situated in Khatlon province, to provide more drinking water and stem the spread of diseases through contaminated water.

The statement also noted the need to secure peace and stability.