Mr. President Emomali Rahmon,
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the successful holding of today's summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Next, I would like to thank you on behalf of my delegation for the hospitality and sincerity you showed during our visit.
We discussed a wide range of issues related to trade between the two countries, including the shortest route from Tajikistan to the Indian Ocean, ie to Pakistan by sea.
Therefore, we discussed how we could have a mutual benefit from business, whether in the textile, pharmaceutical, or tourism industries.
But today the most important issue that concerns our two countries the most is the issue of Afghanistan. As Mr. President rightly pointed out, peace in Afghanistan is very important not only for Tajikistan and Pakistan, but also for the suffering people of Afghanistan, which has been at war for forty years and has caused great suffering to its people.
Thus, we discussed the issue of how we can make efforts to restore peace and stability in the future, given the current situation. And the conflict that worries us and you, I know, worries us in Pakistan, this conflict in Panjshir between the Tajiks and the Taliban.
And today we have decided to make every effort, Mr. President, to exert our influence on the Tajiks, and we, in turn, will make every effort on the Pashtuns and the Taliban. We will make every effort to resolve differences through dialogue.
We will urge them to form an inclusive government, which is important for a multi-ethnic Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, 45 percent are Pashtuns and a large minority are Tajiks. There are Uzbeks and thousands in this country. Thus, lasting peace in Afghanistan is possible only with an inclusive government.
So we will make every effort, we will call that we know we cannot command any country, but we will make every effort, we will call on them as friends of Afghanistan that they should do this. to address the issue, especially the current situation between Tajiks and the Taliban in the Panjshir Valley.
We will also call on them on a humanitarian basis to end the siege so that humanitarian aid can enter the region. We can say at this point, Mr. President, as you and I have discussed extensively today, this is a crucial moment in the history of Afghanistan.
This could be two ways, one is toward lasting peace, which has not been achieved over the past forty years, or unfortunately it could go in a terrible direction - to more conflict, a humanitarian crisis, more refugees, an unstable Afghanistan driven by terrorists. At least three different terrorist groups have used Afghan soil for terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
Thus, in fact, the entire international community is interested in peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Thus, peace, as we agreed today, can only be achieved if an inclusive government is formed. All different views, factions, ethnic groups, all of them should join a government that will lead to lasting peace.
Once again, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for the warm and sincere hospitality that impressed everyone. We have seen the progress that has been made, I have seen buildings and landscaping.
It shows that you really have a passion for the development of your country, and it really impressed my team. I would like to congratulate you on these achievements.
Source: Ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan