Oriented on making people closer

In these pre-New Year days, ORIENT sums up the results together with the heroes of our previous publications, including interviews and reviews with ambassadors of friendly states.

Today, the ORIENT website is visited by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Turkmenistan Vafo Niyatbekzoda.

During the conversation, we discussed the state of bilateral relations, prospects for cooperation within the CIS, as well as plans that determine the further development of the partnership between our two countries.

– Mr. Ambassador, Tajikistan is playing an increasingly important role in regional politics, and in 2025 your country will assume the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States. What tasks does Tajikistan face as the CIS chair?

– The Republic of Tajikistan, being an active participant in international relations, has been successfully developing cooperation with foreign states and regional associations since the very beginning of independence.

In the context of multilateral cooperation, I would like to note the activities of Tajikistan within the framework of such international, interregional and subregional organizations as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and others.

The Republic of Tajikistan attaches great importance to strengthening ties within the CIS. And as you correctly noted, in 2025 our country will chair the Commonwealth, which includes holding meetings of the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Foreign Ministers on its territory and supporting initiatives aimed at developing cooperation within the CIS.

The Tajik chairmanship initiates the launch of a discussion on the issue of improving the CIS activities. In this regard, it is planned to organize special consultations in Tajikistan and the CIS Executive Committee with the participation of representatives of relevant ministries and departments in order to develop specific proposals in this area.

– What accents can you highlight regarding the goals of your country's chairmanship?

• We see our chairmanship as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in the most important areas. First of all, this is closer interaction between the CIS countries in order to meet real practical needs and take into account the national interests of all participants.

We also want to adapt the work of the CIS to new challenges: review the methods and forms of work, involve scientific organizations to study prospects and develop practical recommendations.

In addition, an important task will be to strengthen the role of the CIS in the international arena in order to improve its image and establish contacts with other international organizations.

We plan to update and update existing decisions and agreements adopted within the CIS, and also pay attention to the humanitarian sphere: strengthening ties in culture, science, education, sports, tourism and healthcare.

And, of course, we will work to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, weapons, human trafficking and other challenges. It is also important to protect the information space of our countries.

– You mentioned enhancing the Commonwealth’s image in the international arena. What specific steps will be taken to achieve this?

– We believe that strengthening the positive image of the CIS in the global arena is one of the key tasks. The CIS is positioned as a successful integration association, and it is important for us to expand the Commonwealth’s ties with such organizations as the UN, its specialized agencies, as well as regional associations – the SCO, CSTO, EAEU and others.

I would like to especially note that at the UN, as part of the High-Level Week of the General Assembly, for the first time in the history of the CIS, a joint high-level event dedicated to the interaction of the CIS and the UN will be organized.

In addition, we will facilitate the adoption of the next General Assembly resolution on cooperation between the UN and the CIS. This is an important step that will emphasize the importance of the CIS as an international partner and strengthen its position in the global arena.

– Let's take a closer look - what key tasks will be addressed in the economic and industrial spheres within the framework of Tajikistan's chairmanship?

• On the economic track, we will focus our efforts on developing a comprehensive draft Action Plan for the implementation of the second stage (2026-2030) of the CIS Economic Development Strategy. Particular attention will be paid to increasing the volume of mutual trade, expanding the range of goods supplied, as well as introducing world standards and new technologies, which will increase the competitiveness of products of the CIS member states.

• In the industrial sphere, the emphasis will be on the exchange of information and best practices, training highly qualified personnel, developing new technological areas, and creating production clusters. These measures will increase the volume of production and export of innovative products with high added value, oriented, among other things, to the markets of third countries.

In order to further develop cooperation in heavy industry, efforts will be aimed at coordinating and adopting by the Council of Heads of Government the Agreement on Cooperation of the CIS Member States in the Development of Heavy Engineering Industries. The development of this document is also an initiative of Tajikistan.

– What steps are planned in the energy and transport sectors?

– In the energy sector, we are focused on developing technological cooperation, moving to more environmentally friendly methods of power generation and increasing the share of renewable resources.

In the transport sector, efforts will be aimed at improving infrastructure: design, construction and reconstruction of roads and railways, eliminating barriers to international transit traffic, and creating a transparent tariff policy. In this context, assistance will continue to be provided to the activities of the Intergovernmental Council of Road Builders, the Coordination Transport Meeting and the Council on Railway Transport.

I would like to separately note the launch of work on the draft Strategy for the Digitalization of Intermodal Transport Corridors of the CIS. This process will involve the expertise of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

– Currently, the problem of climate change and environmental protection occupies a prominent place in any international, regional, national agenda...

– And it is certainly also present on the agenda of our chairmanship in the Commonwealth. In the environmental sphere, we plan to continue cooperation in developing agreed standards and environmental regulations that take into account the individual characteristics of each CIS state in the use of natural resources - land, subsoil, forests, water, as well as flora and fauna.

Particular attention will be paid to conducting explanatory events among the population of the CIS countries. We want to emphasize the importance of public awareness and its role in solving environmental challenges.

In light of the announcement of 2025 as the Year of Glacier Protection, Tajikistan will actively promote water initiatives. We understand that glaciers are the main source of clean drinking water.

In this regard, the Tajik side initiates the adoption of a special statement of the heads of state of the CIS on the protection of glaciers during the meeting of the Council of Heads of State in 2025. This is an important step towards understanding and preserving this vital resource.

– Let me ask you another question: how does Tajikistan intend to ensure a balance of interests of all CIS countries within the framework of its chairmanship program?

– Our chairmanship will be based on the principles and norms of international law reflected in the UN Charter, as well as in key CIS documents. We adhere to the principles of continuity and respect for the opinion of each participating state.

By prioritizing deepening cooperation in the political, economic, industrial, energy, transport, environmental and other spheres, we will take into account the interests of all Commonwealth countries and their degree of involvement.

For a more complete understanding of our program, we have developed the Concept of Tajikistan's Chairmanship in the CIS for 2025 and the Action Plan for its implementation, which includes about 113 points and covers a wide range of areas of cooperation.

In addition, we intend to closely cooperate with all CIS countries, including Turkmenistan, which will be a co-chair in 2025 and will assume the chairmanship in 2026. Such a partnership will allow us to more effectively achieve our goals.

– Mr. Ambassador, let us move on to bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. How would you assess their state in 2024, which is becoming history? What key events, in your opinion, contributed to their strengthening?

– It is pleasant to note that 2024 was another step forward in strengthening relations between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Our countries, which are linked by ancient cultural and historical ties, continued to actively develop political, economic and cultural contacts. Against the backdrop of global changes in world politics and economics, we demonstrate a common desire to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.

One of the key events of the year was the official visit of National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, esteemed Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Tajikistan on April 4-5.

As part of the visit, a meeting was held between Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, esteemed Emomali Rahmon and the National Leader of the Turkmen people. During their personal conversation, the strong bonds of brotherhood and good neighborliness between our countries were confirmed. The leaders discussed the state of bilateral and multilateral relations and identified promising areas for further cooperation.

In addition, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held meetings with Chairman of the Majlisi Milli Majlisi Oli of Tajikistan Rustami Emomali, Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda and the Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda.

The result of these meetings was the signing of new documents that supplemented the contractual and legal basis of relations between our countries, which, of course, strengthened the foundation of our cooperation.

– How do you assess the level of cultural exchange between our countries? What events in this area would you highlight?

– The cultural exchange between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in 2024 can confidently be called rich and fruitful. One of the highlights was the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan, which took place in Dushanbe from April 3 to 5 as part of the official visit of National Leader of the Turkmen people, esteemed Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The program was extensive: a concert of masters of arts of the two countries at the State Opera and Ballet Theater named after Sadriddin Aini, an exhibition of folk crafts and paintings of Turkmenistan at the National Museum of Tajikistan, a meeting of scientific intellectuals at the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.

A special moment was the presentation of books by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The program ended with a gala concert "Evening of Friendship" with the participation of the leaders of our countries.

Another significant event was the visit of President of the Republic of Tajikistan, esteemed Emomali Rahmon to Turkmenistan on October 11 to participate in the International Forum dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi. In his speech, he emphasized the strategic nature of the partnership between our countries and noted the importance of cultural cooperation for bringing our peoples closer together.

It is noteworthy that a number of events were held in Tajikistan in honor of Magtymguly Fragi, including the opening of a secondary school named after him in the Dusti district of Khatlon region. In turn, a monument to the Tajik poet Sayido Nasafi was erected in Ashgabat in the new park named after Magtymguly.

These symbols of friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples emphasize the common cultural foundation that unites Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

- How do you assess the results of intergovernmental cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in 2024, including visits of high-ranking delegations?

– 2024 has become a truly significant year for strengthening the Turkmen-Tajik intergovernmental dialogue. I would like to note that cooperation has been actively developing in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

Among the key events is the visit of Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda to Turkmenistan in May to participate in the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS. It is also worth mentioning the visit of Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda, who participated in the Second Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea.

In the autumn, there were visits by Minister of Culture of Tajikistan Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, who took part in the International Conference dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi, as well as the Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population for work - he came to the meeting of the Advisory Council on Labor, Migration and Social Protection of the CIS. Heads of other various bodies of Tajikistan also came to Ashgabat to participate in events, which testifies to the breadth of interaction between our countries.

I would like to separately highlight the 13th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which was held on October 16 in Ashgabat. The parties discussed the implementation of the decisions of the previous meeting, identified priorities for the future and gave specific instructions to industry bodies.

All these events show that intergovernmental interaction between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan is not only actively developing, but also yielding real results, strengthening our ties and creating a basis for further cooperation.

– And the last question. How would you characterize the dynamics of political and diplomatic relations between our countries in the outgoing year?

– Oh, this is a very important question. In 2024, we observed a very active dialogue between our foreign ministries. For example, just recently, in November, important political consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers were held in Dushanbe. Both sides confirmed their interest in further strengthening our relations.

Earlier, in October, there were held consultations between the heads of structural divisions of the Foreign Ministries of the two countries on foreign policy planning, consular and personnel activities.

In general, 2024 has become another clear confirmation that Tajik-Turkmen relations are on the rise. The high level of political dialogue, fruitful cooperation in various fields and mutual support in the international arena create a solid foundation for further strengthening our bilateral ties. We are optimistic about the future and expect new successes in the development of our partnership.

– Thank you very much, Mr. Ambassador, for taking the time to speak with us and for such a meaningful interview. We wish you success in your important work and – a happy New Year!

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV

Photo: orient.tm