Economic Co-operation: Primary Subject for Tajik President's State Visit to Latvia
The president of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, arrived in Latvia today for a state visit. The first event was an official greeting ceremony at the Rīga Castle. This was the first visit to Latvia by a Tajik president, as well as the first state visit to Latvia since Latvian President Valdis Zatlers took office.
After congratulating President Rahmon in the context of the first visit at this level in the history of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Latvia, President Zatlers expressed his delight that his Tajik colleague took the initiative of visiting Latvia, adding the hope that the visit would be important in intensifying the relationship between the two countries. The President also thanked the Tajik president for renaming the mountain which was once known as "Soviet Latvia" to just "Latvia."
The primary focus in discussions between the two presidents and their delegations was on how to expand bilateral co-operation between the two countries, particularly in terms of trade and economic contacts. President Zatlers noted that there are opportunities in such areas as information technologies and pharmaceutics. "Latvia is not just the Latvian market. We are prepared to be a gateway to Europe," said the President.
In discussing international relations, President Zatlers noted that Tajikistan and Latvia are partners in the stabilisation and development of Afghanistan. Because our country is involved in the NATO mission in Afghanistan, said the President, it is only with the active help of that country's neighbours that we can hope for a successful conclusion to the mission. President Zatlers and President Rahmon also discussed co-operation under the framework of the European Union's strategy for Central Asia, as well as Latvia's readiness to become more deeply involved in projects related to education and reforms to national governance systems.
At the conclusion of their official meeting, the two presidents jointly signed an communique, and then they watched as relevant Latvian and Tajik officials signed the following bilateral agreements aimed at promoting closer economic co-operation:
- An intergovernmental agreement on preventing double taxation and tax evasion in relation to the income and capital gains tax;
- An intergovernmental agreement on air traffic so as to promote air transport between Latvia and Tajikistan;
- A protocol on co-operation between the Latvian Foreign Ministry and the Tajik Foreign Ministry so as to facilitate greater bilateral relations and mutual co-operation.
Later, at the Latvian-Tajik Business Forum which is taking place at the Economics Ministry, there are plans to sign a co-operation agreement between the two countries' chambers of commerce and industry. The agreement speaks to an exchange of information about the economic situation in each country, as well as about laws which regulate business operations. The aim is also to facilitate the ability of businesspeople to take part in exhibitions and to organise exchange visits among entrepreneurs.
At a press conference after the signing of the three agreements, both presidents agreed that there is much promise in terms of co-operation in such areas as international issues and the expansion of bilateral economic contacts. President Zatlers thanked his colleague for the fruitful discussions and expressed the hope that the delegation of businesspeople who accompanied President Rahmon for the business forum would lay a foundation for more active relations among businesspeople in the two countries in future.
The two presidents also lay down flowers at the Freedom Monument and then delivered opening remarks at the aforementioned Latvian-Tajik Business Forum. In the evening, President Zatlers and the First Lady will host the president of Tajikistan at a state dinner.
Among those to accompany President Rahmon on his visit to Latvia are the country's foreign minister, Hamrokhon Zarifi, the president's advisor on domestic politics, Erkin Rahmatulloyev, the president's advisor on economic policy, Matlubkhon Davlaton, the country's finance minister, Safarali Najmuddinov, the head of Tajikistan's State Investment and Proeprty Management Commission, Farrukh Hamraliyev, the first deputy minister for energy and industry, Poulod Muhiddinov, the chairman of the Tajik Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharif Saidov, and a delegation of Tajik business leaders and businesspeople.
