EMOMALI RAHMON MEETS AMBSSADORS OF MEXICO, PHILIPPINES AND AUSTRALIA

                 Dushanbe, April 24. (NIAT "Khovar"). — On April 23, President Emomali Rahmon received the credentials of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mexico to Tajikistan Arturo Hernandez.                  At the meeting that followed the ceremony, issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed.                 It was noted that the relations between Tajikistan and Mexico are mainly developing in the form of political contacts within the frameworks of the UN and other international organizations.The interlocutors mentioned, in particular, that Tajikistan and Mexico were among the initiators of the active solution of global water-related problems.                  The parties agreed in opinion that their bilateral ties be also bolstered.                  Among mutually beneficial fields of their cooperation energy, light, chemical and mining industries were listed.                 Arturo Hernandez stressed that the experience of Tajikistan in the construction of hydropower stations could very instructive for Mexico.                 Head of state Emomali Rahmon declared that, with the aim of developing the Tajik-Mexican relations, Tajikistan was ready to expand the powers of its Embassy in the US to Mexico as well.                Then President Emomali Rahmon received the credentials of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Philippines to Tajikistan Jaime Yambao.                During the conversation of Head of state Emomali Rahmon with Jaime Yambao, the ways of strengthening and broadening the relations between the two countries were reviewed.                It was stressed that there are many untapped reserves and possibilities for deepening the political, economic and cultural cooperation between Tajikistan and Philippines, and those should be used more actively.                Reviewing mutually beneficial spheres of cooperation, the interlocutors named, among others, light, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, as well scientific and cultural exchanges.                 Later in the day Head of state Emomali Rahmon also received the credentials of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Tajikistan Margaret Ayleen Tumee. The subsequent talk between President Emomali Rahmon and Margaret Ayleen Tumee was dedicated to the issues of the Tajik-Australian cooperation.               The two stressed that Tajikistan and Australia may also maintain active political ties within the frameworks of the UN and other international organizations.               "The volume of commodities exchange between the two countries last year reached almost US$ 35 million, which is the evidence of vast possibilities for broadening the trade and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Australia", said President Emomali Rahmon.               The interlocutors reaffirmed their mutual interest in deepening the cooperation in the fields of energy, industry, agriculture and extraction of oil and gas in Tajikistan.               An exchange of opinions took place concerning the current situation in Afghanistan and combating terrorism, extremism and illicit circulation of narcotics.