DUSHANBE, December 17, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- On Tuesday December 16, President Emomali Rahmon sent a message of congratulations to his Kazakh counterpart, President Nursultan Nazarbayev, on occasion of the 17th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence, according to presidential press service.

In his message, Rahmon, in particular, noted that cooperation between the two nations, based on principles of mutual confidence and traditions of friendship, equality and mutual respect, is expanding.

The Tajik head of state wished health and further successes to President Nazarbayev and peace and prosperity to the Kazakh people.