Within the framework of his official visit to France, the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate of France.

The discussion focussed on Tajik-French cooperation, including on the parliamentary level.

At the outset of the meeting, President Rahmon noted France’s important position as a reliable partner in the foreign policy of Tajikistan.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further develop friendly relations and win-win cooperation between the two nations.

Given the special place of inter-parliamentary ties, they proposed the intensification of the work of the France-Central Asia Friendship Group and contacts between the legislators to contribute to further building trust, and strengthening and expanding bilateral ties.

President Rahmon noted Tajikistan’s interest in learning from experience of France’s parliament.

Tajikistan’s readiness to bolster cooperation in the promising spheres of the bilateral agenda, including the implementation of joint investment projects using the rich experience of France was emphasized.

The fruitful work of Bactria Cultural Center as well as Erasmus Mundus and Eramus-Plus educational programmes were mentioned.

The allocation of quotas for the education of Tajik citizens in French universities and the opening of branches of prestigious French universities in Tajikistan were noted as necessary.

A detailed exchange of opinions also focused on the situation in Afghanistan. As Tajikistan shares a long border with Afghanistan, he noted the vital importance of taking effective measures to ensure regional security and border protection by strengthening the defense capacity of the border.

At the end of the meeting Emomali Rahmon invited the President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher to visit Tajikistan.