8 Apr 2019 18:49

Tajikistan supports Afghanistan's integration in Central Asian projects - parliament speaker

DUSHANBE. April 8 (Interfax) - Tajikistan supports international efforts on Afghan settlement and Afghanistan's integration in trade-economic interaction between the countries of Central Asia, Shukurdzhon Zukhurov, speaker of the lower house of the Tajik parliament, sad at the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly meeting in Doha.

"Tajikistan supports the international strategy for problem-solving and post-conflict settlement in Afghanistan. We need to increase our support of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. An important factor in this area is the involvement of the country in regional integration via economic and trade cooperation with the neighboring countries," Zukhurov said in statement posted on the Tajik parliament's website.

"We reiterate the importance of implementing transport, communications and energy projects, which promote the development of regional economic cooperation," the Tajik parliamentarian said.

The current negative military-political situation in Afghanistan is reflecting on the situation in the region, he said. The appearance on the Afghan territory of Islamic State militants [ISIL, terrorist organization banned in Russia] and weapons and drug smuggling are complicating the regional security problem, he said.

Zukhurov also said Tajikistan is committed to the norms of international law, the development of international cooperation on the basis of bilateral constructive dialogue between countries on the basis of the UN Charter.

"Bearing in mind the current reality and for the purpose of ensuring lasting security and prevention of growing threats of terrorism, extremism, we are broadening our cooperation with international and regional organizations and partners," he said.

A high-level international conference on the fight against terrorism, extremism and violence was held in Dushanbe in May 2018 in cooperation with the UN, the European Union, the OSCE and other development partners, he said.

"The Dushanbe conference proved that it is important at this stage that every state be integrated with the international community, international and regional structures and promotes inclusive cooperation," Zukhurov said.