Energy related talks- President Mamnoon Hussain visits Tajikistan

DUSHANBE: President Mamnoon Hussain visits Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Monday for a four-day official visit.

President’s four day visit is primarily a participation at a high end international conference on International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018-2028. The conference is being held in Tajikistan’s capital from June 20 to 21.

Tajikistan Deputy Prime Minister ZokirZoda Mahmadtoir Zoir cordially received the president upon arrival at Dushanbe airport.

Senior officials including, Pakistan’s ambassador to Tajikistan & Tajikistan’s ambassador to Pakistan were also present on the occasion.

The Deputy Prime Minister ZokirZoda, had a succinct discussion at the airport with President Mamnoon, regarding bilateral relationship of the two countries.

Along with bilateral talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, main reason for the visit of Mamnoon is to participate in the international conference on water.

The conference is being hosted by Tajikistan in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

Various other partners are also involved for sustainable progress & water management, in order to attain social, economic and environmental objectives.

Furthermore, strategies will be discussed regarding the assistance at various levels, so that targets including 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can also be conquered.

The main purpose of this conference is to promote the water importance, and related factors such as water usage, food, energy, accomplishment of national development programmes.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Tariq Iqbal Soomro explained, “President Mamoon Hussain and President Emomali Rahmon during their talks will discuss bilateral ties focusing on reinforcement and expansion of relations for communal advantage.”

It is discussed, between the two that as per (FY 2016-17) the current volume of annual mutual trade is around US $42 million, which is not adequate as projected. Therefore, the two leaders will discuss all possible efforts & strategies to enhance bilateral trade level up to US $500 million.

President Mamnoon during his first visit to Tajikistan is expected to hold meetings with the prime minister of Tajikistan as well as the speaker of the lower house of Tajik parliament.

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Ambassador Soomro hoped that the visit of President Mamnoon will further strengthen the already existing close and friendly relations between the two brotherly nations.

According to Ambassador Soomro, the water conference is the initial effort that Tajikistan planned, in order to hold on a bi-annual basis to assist execution of the new decade for water for sustainable development.

Furthermore, the ambassador said, “Various visits of Pakistan’s officials to Tajikistan are a proof of focused Pakistan’s vision in order to reinforce relations with neighboring and regional countries.”