Tajik president says situation in world is dangerous; calls on citizens to be ready to defend independence of Tajikistan

DUSHANBE. April 1 (Interfax) - Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in his congratulatory address on the occasion of the start of the holy month of Ramadan said the situation in the world is extremely tense and called on people to prepare food supplies for two years and to be ready to defend state independence.

"The political, military, economic and social situation in the world is extremely tense, crisis-worn, difficult and dangerous. The independence and freedom of some countries and their statehood are seriously called into question, which causes each of us to be united and to ensure the security of the state and society," the president was quoted as saying in his address by the national news agency Khovar.

"We must always be ready to defend the priceless gift of our life, state independence and its achievements - peace, calm, political stability and national unity," the Tajik president said.

He also said it is necessary "to use every good Spring day to complete the sowing campaign in a timely manner, to lay down the foundation for a good harvest, to always remember that every family needs to prepare food supplies for two years." "People became convinced this was useful in the past few years, especially in the past two years of the coronavirus pandemic," Rahmon said.

"We should think today that it is necessary to take all measures to ensure that our children and our family members, and all residents of the country in general do not have any difficulties and do not suffer from shortages of food and price hikes for it, especially in the fall and winter periods," the Tajik president said.