On the sidelines of the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qingdao, China, the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon had a meeting with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

The head of state, Emomali Rakhmon, at the beginning of the conversation pointed that “we consider the maintenance of peace and stability in Afghanistan an important factor in the security of our country and the entire region as a whole”.

The President of the country stressed the importance of close collaboration between security services of Tajikistan and Afghanistan addressing joint struggle against terrorism, extremism and illicit drug trafficking, as well as strengthening the protection of Tajikistan’s state border.

The leaders discussed boosting the two countries’ trade and economic, education and cultural cooperation.

During the meeting, the implementation of national and regional infrastructure energy projects - CASA-1000 and the construction of Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Turkmenistan (TAT) railway was considered as a key factor in improving the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan.