EMOMALI RAHMON MEETS SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO PA

             Dushanbe, April 22. (NIAT "Khovar"). — On April 21 in the afternoon President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan met with the Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly David Hobbs.              At the meeting, current issues and prospects of the relations between Tajikistan and this reputed international organization were discussed.             Head of state Emomali Rahmon noted with satisfaction the process of interaction within the frameworks of the Program ‘Partnership For Peace' and the Plan for Individual Cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance, and expressed confidence that the forthcoming joining of Tajikistan to the Program ‘Planning and Modernization Process' would also serve a good means of further broadening this cooperation.             For his part, David Hobbs said, "We appreciate the stabilizing role of Tajikistan in Central Asia and pay particular attention to the cooperation with this and other countries of the region in solving the Afghan problem".              Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly went on to stress: "We see the balanced approach of Tajikistan to its relations with Russia, China, United States and neighboring countries as very important and instructive".              A helpful talk took place concerning the establishment of some regional structures of NATO in Tajikistan, among them the Special Center for Combating Terrorism and Center for Rescue Works in Emergency Situations.              The broadening of ties between the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Majlisi Oli (Parliament) of Tajikistan was called a good means of developing multi-facet cooperation and securing the relevant legal base for this.             An exchange of opinions was held concerning the assistance to the Border Guard of Tajikistan and clearance of its state border from mines and other explosives.             Touching upon the Tajikistan-NATO interaction on Afghanistan, Head of state Emomali Rahmon stressed, "Military actions in Afghanistan should be carried out concurrently with merciless eradication of drugs production, as well as wide implementation of economic programs and solution of social problems, because unless those problems are solved, the peace process will require much more time and expenses".              Emomali Rahmon also said, "As an important component of the peace-securing forces in Afghanistan, NATO should establish active cooperation with Central Asian neighbors of Afghanistan, and particularly with Tajikistan". He noted that the successful implementation of Tajikistan's energy and communicational projects will help restore Afghanistan's economy.             The interlocutors also exchanged opinions concerning other questions of mutual interest.