The Tajik president’s official website reports that after the top-level negotiations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, a ceremony of exchange of newly signed cooperation signed President Emomali Rahmon and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a Treaty on Allied Relations between their countries. 

In total, 28 cooperation documents were signed. 

In particular, six agreements on cooperation between Tajikistan’s provinces of Khatlon and Sughd and Uzbekistan’s regions of Khorezm, Ferghana, Syrdarya, Namangan and Andijan were signed.

The Tajik president’s official website says agreements, protocol, memorandum of understanding, roadmap and programs of cooperation, which were signed within the framework of the state visit of Uzbekistan’s president to Tajikistan, regulate the development and expansion of cooperation in the areas of importance and priority for both sides, namely border, protection of consumer rights, industry, air communication, international road communication, bridge construction, agro-industrial complex, veterinary medicine and food safety, culture, librarianship, training of personnel in the fields of virology, microbiology, molecular biology, epidemiology, biotechnology and pharmacology, certification of highly qualified scientific and scientific-training personnel, tourism and control of the activities of credit organizations.

The newly signed cooperation documents are expected to significantly strengthen the legal basis of various directions of multidimensional cooperation between the two countries.

After the ceremony of signing the documents, Emomali Rahmon and Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a press conference for journalists.

They reportedly assessed the results of top-level meetings and negotiations for the further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as good and significant, emphasizing that the signing of a large number of new documents of cooperation, in particular, the Treaty on Allied Relations between the two neighboring countries open a wide way for the unprecedented expansion of relations.

The Times of Central Asia reports that referring to Tajikistan as Uzbekistan’s closest, most reliable, and time-tested strategic partner, Uzbek president said, “The fraternal Uzbek and Tajik peoples are inextricably linked by strong bonds of centuries-old friendship. We are brought together by common history, cultural and spiritual values, traditions, and customs.”

He reportedly went on to emphasize the enormous significance of the Treaty on Allied Relations noting that with that step the parties confirmed their strong mutual commitment to an irreversible course towards deepening the multifaceted Uzbek-Tajik strategic partnership and alliance.

Without any exaggeration, this important document will mark a new historical milestone in bilateral relations,” Mirziyoyev added.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, for his part, noting that the Treaty takes Tajik-Uzbek relations to a qualitatively new level, stated, “This document will also become an important factor in strengthening peace and stability in our region – Central Asia.”