Continuation of Tajik Foreign Minister’s visit to the USA

Dushanbe, May 18. (NIAT “Khovar”).-
On May 17, 2012, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Hamrokhon Zarifi, who heads the Tajik delegation during the trip to the U.S., took part in the Annual Bilateral Consultations with the United States of America. During the first day of the consultations the delegations of Tajikistan and the United States discussed the issues on the agenda relating to security issues and border strengthening, as well as economic cooperation and investment. On May 18 the bilateral consultations will be continued.

On the second half of May 17, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan met with a member of the U.S. Congress, the Chairman of the House of Representatives subcommission on Europe and Eurasia Mr. Dan Burton. The sides reviewed the state of bilateral cooperation and the role of parliament in the further development of relations between the U.S. and Tajikistan.

On the same day the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan met with a representative of U.S. National Security Council, Mrs. Alice Wells. The two sides discussed the situation in the region and Afghanistan, the fight against drugs and terrorism, as well as a number of international issues.

On the evening of May 17, at the Central Asia and Caucasus Institute of Johns Hopkins University a presentation was held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Hamrokhon Zarifi on the topic of "Tajikistan and Central Asia in light of the 2014". During the presentation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs shared his vision on the situation in the region in light of the withdrawal of coalition troops from Afghanistan in 2014 and a number of infrastructure projects for economic and social rehabilitation of this country. At the end of his speech the Foreign Minister answered to numerous questions from the audience.(www.mfa.tj)