DUSHANBE, April 6, 2010, Asia-Plus – On Monday April 5, President Emomali Rahmon met here with visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

According to presidential press service, the sides discussed a broad range of issues related to many-sided cooperation of Tajikistan with the United Nations and its agencies, implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), mitigation of effects of the global financial and economic crisis as well as removal of obstacles for development of the regional cooperation in Central Asia.

Rahmon and Ban also exchanged views on the regional security, the current situation in Afghanistan and its influence on neighboring countries, fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and extremism as well as a number of other international and regional issues being of mutual interest.

As it had been reported earlier, the visit to Tajikistan is part of Mr. Ban''s first official visit to Central Asia since becoming Secretary-General.   Ban has met with high-ranking Tajik state officials consider issues of global and regional security, cooperation under UN and other auspices and environmental security in the region.

Mr. Ban is giving a news conference in Dushanbe today.

Last time the UN chief visited Tajikistan in 2002. Kofi Annan held the post at the time.