Joint Statement on the results of the official visit paid to the Republic of Armenia by President Emomali Rahmon of the Republic of Tajikistan

At the invitation of Republic of Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan, President Emomali Rahmon of the Republic of Tajikistan paid an official visit to the Republic of Armenia on June 14-15, 2017.

During the talks that took place on the eve of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan, the Heads of State highlighted the significance of this event, which opened up a new chapter in the centuries-old history of friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries.

The President of the Republic of Armenia and the President of the Republic of Tajikistan,

having comprehensively examined the current state and the prospects for the development of the entire complex of Armenian-Tajik relations;

relying on the historically deeply rooted ties between Armenia and Tajikistan, as well as on the centuries-old bonds of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries;

taking as a basis the inviolability of the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan of April 3, 2002;

convinced that the strengthening of interstate relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of both countries;

noting the importance and expediency of continued close cooperation and coordination of actions in the international arena;

striving for the development and enhancement of the ongoing effective cooperation in the frameworks of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as for closer interaction in international organizations of which the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan are members;

Declare the following:

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan are determined to further strengthen and multiply the bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

They will build their relations on the basis of strategic partnership in the spirit of mutual trust, guided by the principles of respect for sovereignty, peaceful settlement of disputes and the non-use of force or threat of force, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.

The Heads of State express readiness to deepen bilateral relations in the economic field, trade, transport, military and military-technical areas, as well as in the fields of science, culture, tourism and healthcare.

The Presidents confirmed that the deepening of cooperation in foreign policy-related affairs between Armenia and Tajikistan on the basis of mutual support in matters affecting the fundamental interests of both States stems from the two peoples’ best interest in terms of strengthening the friendship between the two countries and is a key element of the Armenian-Tajik interstate cooperation.
The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan shall enhance constructive interaction within the frameworks of the UN, OSCE, CSTO, CIS and other international organizations for the sake of both regional and global peace, stability and security.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan reaffirm their commitment to the goals and principles set out in the UN Charter. The two sides recognize the central role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security amid the ever-growing role of regional structures in the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan will coordinate their foreign policy activities with a view to implementing joint coordinated actions aimed at strengthening security, stability and development of cooperation in the regions of the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan support the prompt settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict exclusively by peaceful means on the basis of the norms and principles of international law and the provisions of the UN Charter.

The Presidents reaffirm their position on this issue as expressed in the Statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, which was adopted by the Heads of State of the Collective Security Treaty Organization on October 14, 2016 in Yerevan.

The Sides welcome the constructive efforts of those countries involved in OSCE Minsk Group as the only format vested with a mediation mandate on the part of the international community.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan confirm the importance of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in ensuring the member States’ security and will actively cooperate in fulfilling their mutual commitments within the framework of the Organization.

The Parties will make efforts to adapt the Commonwealth of Independent States to the current realities.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan reaffirm their readiness to continue coordinating the efforts in the field of countering global challenges and threats - terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border organized crime, on the basis of international treaties to which the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan are parties.

The Sides highlight the need to broaden the scope and increase the effectiveness of the activities of the Armenia-Tajikistan inter-parliamentary friendship group and the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan and welcome the proposed upgrade in the level of its co-chairmanship.

The Parties attach importance to the deepening of mutually beneficial economic cooperation and stand ready to contribute to the realization of the potential existing in this area.

To this end, they will boost trade turnover as much as possible, develop cooperation in the field of transport and communications, agriculture, mining and metallurgy, light and manufacturing industries, as well as in innovations and a number of other areas.

The Parties will improve the mechanism of interaction and stimulate direct ties between the two countries’ economic entities.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan intend to establish a regular direct air service between Yerevan and Dushanbe, and confirm their readiness for joint development of projects in the field of transport.

The Parties will possibly promote the strengthening of direct contacts between organizations and individuals in the fields of art and culture, as well as between research centers, healthcare institutions, educational institutions, media outlets and other cultural and humanitarian organizations.

The Presidents of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan are convinced that the two countries’ interstate relations have broad prospects for extensive development and deepening in all areas of cooperation in tune with the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the negotiations held in an atmosphere of full mutual understanding that led to the signing of the following documents:

- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on mutual visits of their citizens,

- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on air communication,

- A program of cooperation for 2018-2019 between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan,

- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in the field of telecommunications and postal services,

- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on mutual recognition and comparability of qualifications and certificates of education, university and academic degrees,

- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in the field of healthcare,

- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in the field of sport and youth affairs,

- Agreement on cooperation between the Office of Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia and the Office of Prosecutor General of the Republic of Tajikistan,

- Agreement on scientific cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Heads of State stressed that the highest-level meeting made a significant contribution to and opened up new horizons for the further strengthening of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Tajikistan.

President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality and invited President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to pay an official visit to the Republic of Tajikistan.

The invitation was accepted with gratitude. The terms of the visit will be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.