DUSHANBE, April 23, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Speaking at a joint meeting of both chambers of the parliament, President Emomali Rahmon noted on April 23 that there ought to take into consideration geopolitical realities and economic opportunities while forming Tajikistan’s foreign policy.

“Tajikistan builds its relationships with neighboring Central Asia’s nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) on the basis of principles of friendship and neighborliness,” said Tajik leader.  “We are supporters of lifting visa requirements for the countries of the region.”

He also noted that Tajikistan was interested in establishment of peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan.  “With withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan the neighboring country will enter a new phase of development,” said Rahmon.  “We are ready to expand our bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan and participate in projects aiming at promoting development of this country.”

Bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran is expanding, Tajik president noted.  “Over the past decade, good trade and economic cooperation has been established between our countries and we are sure that trilateral cooperation between Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran will also expand and enter qualitatively new level,” Rahmon said.

He noted that Tajikistan attached significant importance to its cooperation with the CIS nations, “especially with our strategic partner Russia.”  “We come out for further expansion of cultural, political, military and technical cooperation with Russia,” Tajik president stated.

Tajikistan also attaches significance to its cooperation with China and relations with China are the main direction of Tajikistan’s foreign policy in Asia, Rahmon noted.

He also stressed that Tajikistan was interested in expansion of cooperation with the United States and the European Union “because they play an important role in the modern world.”  Rahmon noted that Tajikistan was actively cooperating with them in combating terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.