"Visit by the President of Tajikistan is a strong impetus for a new quality of cooperation," President Adamkus says

 

Emomali Rahmon

Lithuania is visited by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon who arrived in Lithuania late in the evening yesterday, February 11, for a two-day official visit. This is the first visit by the leader of this Central Asian state to Lithuania.

Lithuania's President underlined this visit by the President of Tajikistan was a strong impetus for a new quality of cooperation.

President Adamkus noted that despite the geographic distance between them, the two states were connected by friendly relations and common resolve to deal together with the present challenges and make their important contributions to ensuring security and stability in the region.

In the meeting, the Presidents of Lithuania and Tajikistan discussed the opportunities for developing bilateral relations in economy, trade, security, energy, transport, science, culture, tourism, and other areas. President Adamkus noted that the emerging new opportunities for bilateral cooperation would also allow to improve the realization of the potential of economic relations between the two states.

"Today's discussions with President Rahmon make me believe the cooperation between our countries will improve, which is in the interest of both countries, their people and businesses," the President of Lithuania said, and underlined Lithuania strongly supported the increasingly intensive dialogue between the European Union and Tajikistan.

President Rahmon pointed out that Tajikistan considered Lithuania as a very important European partner, and, urging for a more active development of bilateral economic relations, stressed the improving investment climate in this Central Asian country. Tajikistan's leader emphasized Tajik businesspeople were very much interested in the possibility of cargo transportation via Klaipėda Seaport.

President Rahmon also underlined the importance of cultural cooperation and the possibility to boost tourism activities. "Tajik people are well aware of Palanga and Klaipėda", the President of Tajikistan said.  
 
Another issue discussed in the meeting was the memorization of Lithuanian exiles in Tajikistan. "For Lithuanians, it is a very important matter of preserving historic memory and justice," Lithuania's leader said.

President Adamkus presented to President Rahmon the candidacy of Ina Marčiulionytė, Lithuania's Ambassador at UNESCO, to the position of UNESCO Director General. Lithuania's leader underlined her candidacy was put forward jointly by the three Baltic states, and asked Tajikistan for support in the election.
 
The two Heads of States also discussed the implementation and future development of the EU-Central Asian strategy, and the security situation in Afghanistan and the whole region.

Following the bilateral meeting between the Presidents of Lithuania and Tajikistan and between their delegations, the two Presidents signed the Joint Declaration on Enhancing Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Lithuania.

Lithuania's Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Šarūnas Adomavičius and Tajikistan's Head of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management Farrukh Hamraliev signed the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.

After the signature ceremony for the Joint Declaration and the Agreement, Lithuanian and Tajikistani Presidents exchanged gifts: President Adamkus presented a painting "The Old Town of Vilnius" by Milda Jonušauskienė, and President Rahmon presented an ornamental composition.

After a press conference, President Adamkus and President Rahmon will participate in the Lithuanian-Tajikistan Business Forum.

Later today, the Tajikistani leader is also to meet with Lithuania's Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius and Speaker of the Seimas Arūnas Valinskas.

 After lunch, President Rahmon will visit Lavoriškės Frontier Station to see how the bonder control post operates at the external border of the European Union.
 
In the Antakalnis Cemetery, the President of Tajikistan will lay a wreath at the Memorial to Those Killed in the Struggle for Independence, to give honor to their memory.

In the evening, official dinner will be hosted in the honor of President Rahmon of Tajikistan.