EMOMALI RAHMON’S CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD BOUCHER

              Dushanbe, April 21. (NIAT "Khovar"). — On April 20 in the afternoon the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher.              "Tajikistan has a concern in the steady development of its relations with the United States in mutually profitable spheres of cooperation", Head of state Emomali Rahmon stressed in the beginning of the conversation.               For his turn, Richard Boucher emphasized that "the new US Administration and President Barack Obama are interested in the cooperation with Tajikistan, particularly in what regards the implementation of the new US Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan".               President Emomali Rahmon expressed satisfaction with the current level of the bilateral relations in the fields of policy and security, but at the same time noted that "at the present stage main attention should be paid to strengthening and broadening trade and economic cooperation".                According to Emomali Ramon, the broader Tajikistan-US cooperation would suit the interests on not only the two countries, but other states of the Central Asian region as well, at the same time helping secure peace and stability in Afghanistan.                A circumstantial talk took place concerning the goals of the new US Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was stressed among other that the implementation of Tajikistan's energy and communicational projects would actively help restore Afghan economy and provide this country and Pakistan with electricity.               "Tajikistan can also make a considerable contribution to training specialists in diverse professions for Afghanistan and mobilize its own specialists for the participation in the restoration of Afghan economy", Emomali Rahmon noted.              During the conversation, the parties exchanged opinions regarding strengthening the protection of the Tajik-Afghan border, preventing illicit circulation of drugs and other threats, as sell rendering technical assistance to Tajikistan's Border Guard and other relevant structures.               As the Presidential Press Office told the "Khovar" news agency, the parties reaffirmed their mutual willingness to further strengthening their bilateral relations with the aim of creating a favorable atmosphere for Central Asian regional cooperation.