Participation in the opening of the ninth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process

The Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon took part in the opening of the ninth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, titled “Strengthening Consensus for Peace and Development” in Dushanbe.

The conference has kicked off with statements delivered by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani.

The foreign ministers and high-ranking representatives of 15 participating countries, in particular Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Qatar, Kazakhstan, India, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia, 16 supporting countries and heads of 16 supporting regional and international organizations attended the Conference.

The process aims to promote regional security, economic and political cooperation centered on Afghanistan through dialogue and confidence-building measures.

Following Conference the Dushanbe Declaration is expected to be adopted.

At the outset of his address President Emomali Rahmon stressed that Tajikistan and Afghanistan are linked with many civilization commonalities and strong neighborliness ties. We have a common language and culture with the noble people of this brotherly country, and our common historical roots date back to several millennia.

“Therefore, it goes without saying that we are not indifferent towards the destiny of our Afghan brothers. Any pain and suffering experienced by the people of Afghanistan resonates in the hearts of the Tajik people” – noted President Rahmon.

President Rahmon personally have called on the international community in all international fora related to Afghanistan to help solve the Afghan issue, because the crisis in this country is an international problem.

President Rahmon has called the activities of the "Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process" from its establishment in 2011 to the present day, undoubtedly as having an important role.

“Tajikistan fully supports the implementation of a comprehensive international strategy to ensure stability and restore peace in Afghanistan” – emphasized President Rahmon.

“We are confident that today's summit in Dushanbe will take new steps with new tasks in discussing and addressing this country’s issues”- President Rahmon said and added that “We also hope that the international community, with its new initiatives and proposals, will further improve the mechanism of cooperation and assistance to this country”.

http://president.tj/ru/node/25386