Head of the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sirodjidin Mukhriddin, participated in a series of meetings during the Second Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Strategic Dialogue "Central Asia - Cooperation Council of Arab States of the Gulf" in Tashkent on April 14th. According to the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he held discussions with the Uzbek Foreign Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, to talk about the current state and prospects of bilateral relations and cooperation within international and regional organizations.
The discussions also involved planning for the state visit of the Uzbek President to Tajikistan, although the exact date was not specified. Both ministers reiterated their commitment to enhancing neighborly relations, strategic partnership, and alliance between the two countries. They focused on strengthening ties, boosting trade relations, and ensuring regular exchanges across all sectors as key priorities.
Mukhriddin also had a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council of Arab States of the Gulf, Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, to explore cooperation between Tajikistan and the Council in political, trade, economic, and investment areas. The Second Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Strategic Dialogue "Central Asia - Cooperation Council of Arab States of the Gulf" is scheduled to occur in Tashkent on April 15th, with delegations from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Arab countries of the Persian Gulf participating.
The focus of the event will be on implementing agreements established during the first summit of heads of Central Asian states and the Cooperation Council of Arab States of the Gulf in Jeddah in July 2023. Discussions will also encompass cooperation in politics, economy, investments, transportation, culture, security, and environmental protection. Participants will exchange views on preparations for the upcoming Summit in Samarkand and will issue a joint statement at the conclusion of the meeting.
Before heading to Tashkent, the Tajik Foreign Minister took part in the seventh meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Central Asia - Russia format in Minsk on April 12th. The officials deliberated on the status and prospects of six-party cooperation, emphasizing the outcomes of the first summit of heads of states in this format in October 2022. Mukhriddin stressed the significance of an open and respectful dialogue between Central Asian countries and Russia in the face of rapid global political and economic transformations.
He underlined the mutually beneficial aspect of further enhancing bilateral and multilateral migration cooperation between Central Asia and Russia for socio-economic progress. Mukhriddin highlighted the need to create favorable conditions for labor resources, safeguard their rights, and efficiently manage migration issues. The Minister also emphasized the implementation of initiatives proposed by Emomali Rahmon, including the launch of the "Preventive Economy" project and the adoption of a Program to stimulate industrial cooperation between Central Asian countries and Russia.
