The U.S. State Department hosted Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and a delegation from the Government of Tajikistan for the eighth U.S.-Tajikistan Annual Bilateral Consultations on July 1, following 30 years of bilateral partnership between the United States and Tajikistan, according to the State Department’s official website.

The United States delegation, led by Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Dean Thompson, reportedly reiterated the United States’ commitment to Tajikistan’s independence, sovereignty, and prosperity and cited he mutually shared goal of a just and durable settlement in Afghanistan.

The delegations discussed issues related to security and law enforcement, human rights, and energy and the economy.

Participants affirmed their countries’ commitments to jointly address regional security threats, cooperate on efforts to counter terrorism, and professionalize security services.  Officials reportedly discussed opportunities for advancing mutual goals to promote religious freedom and combat trafficking in persons.

The delegations also discussed joint initiatives to increase regional connectivity and improve bilateral trade and investment opportunities.