MFA Press Statement: State Visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, 30 March to 3 April 2010

A Joint Statement affirming the common understandings reached by both countries on bilateral cooperation was signed by President Rahmon and Prime Minister Lee. The foreign ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and Tajikistan on Bilateral Consultations.

President Rahmon will be hosted to lunch by Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi and deliver a keynote address at the inaugural Tajikistan-Singapore Business Forum and Networking Session organised by the Singapore Business Federation. Thereafter, President Rahmon will visit the NEWater Visitor Centre. This evening, President Rahmon will attend a State Banquet hosted in his honour by President S R Nathan.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
31 MARCH 2010
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JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

The President of the Republic of Tajikistan His Excellency Emomali Rahmon made a State Visit to the Republic of Singapore on 30 March - 3 April 2010 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Singapore S R Nathan. During his visit, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with the President of the Republic of Singapore S R Nathan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, the Senior Minister of the Republic of Singapore Goh Chok Tong, the Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Singapore Abdullah Tarmugi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore George Yeo, and the Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew.

The State Visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon is the first since the Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Tajikistan established diplomatic relations on 8 December 1995. This visit marked the fifteenth anniversary of diplomatic relations and served to consolidate the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Singapore came to the following understandings:

1. The leaders of both countries noted that the establishment and development of friendly relations in all areas is in the true interest and expectation of the two countries' people and would promote peace and stability in Asia and the entire world.

2. Both countries would develop mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principles of equality, respect of independence, territorial integrity, and the pursuit of mutual interests.

3. The leaders of both countries considered the development of economic cooperation as a significant constituent of bilateral relations. Both countries would endeavour to provide favourable conditions for investment and trade activities, economic and technical cooperation in the two countries and ensure protection of citizens and property and legal interests of each other according to their legislations.

4. Both countries would take necessary measures for the establishment and development of contacts between central and local governmental authorities as well as non-governmental organizations.

5. Both countries would endeavour to hold regular consultations at different levels on matters of bilateral relations as well as other issues of common interest.

6. The leaders of both countries noted that all countries have the right to determine their own political, social, and economic systems and to choose the model for ensuring provision and protection of human rights based on their own realities.

7. Security and stability of the Central Asian countries, their steady economic development, and progressive social improvement are in the interests of all people of the countries in the region. The Republic of Singapore noted the efforts by the Republic of Tajikistan directed at the security, stability, and development of the Central Asian region.

8. Both countries would endeavour to cooperate in the struggle against terrorism, extremism, organized crime, illegal drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and other kinds of crimes.

9. Both countries would endeavour to establish cooperation in different areas, including education, culture, science and technology, mass-media, tourism, sports, public health, and social security and support exchanges between the higher educational institutions, research entities, youth and friendship organizations of the two countries.

10. The leaders of both countries noted the common and/or close positions of the two countries on a number of important international and regional issues that would further strengthen their cooperation within the frameworks of the United Nations and other international organizations. Both countries firmly adhere to the main objectives and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and standard norms of International Law and on that basis advance the creation of a new structure of security which is based on trust, mutual benefit, equality, and cooperation. The leaders of both countries expressed their support for the peaceful settlement of international disputes and the leading role of the United Nations in safeguarding global peace and security; expressed their respect for the diversity of civilizations and development models; and recognized the promotion of peace based on security and joint prosperity.

11. The leaders of the Republic Tajikistan and the Republic of Singapore expressed satisfaction with the results of the first Tajikistan - Singapore meeting at the highest level and highly appreciated the fact that relations of the two countries have entered into qualitatively new stage.

12. The President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Singapore S R Nathan for the hospitality extended and invited the leaders of the Republic of Singapore to visit the Republic of Tajikistan. The leaders of the Republic of Singapore expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon for his invitation.

31 March 2010, Singapore.