PRESIDENT EMOMALI RAHMON MEETS PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTER

             Dushanbe, April 17. (NIAT "Khovar"). — On April 16, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon received the Foreign Minister of Portugal Luís Amado.             As the Presidential Press Service informed the "Khovar" news agency, during the meeting issues of the two countries' interaction within European and North Atlantic structures, as well as questions of broadening the bilateral relations were discussed.             Mutual satisfaction was expressed with the level and content of multilateral interaction within the international anti-terrorist coalition for restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan.             The Portuguese Foreign Minister stated, "In the process of the implementation of European countries' joint measures on Afghanistan, our relations with Tajikistan are of paramount importance, because its role in rendering assistance to the forces of the coalition for peace-keeping and restoring the economy of that long-suffering country is extremely significant".              Luís Amado expressed thankfulness to the Head of the Tajik state for this valuable role of Tajikistan and its President's personal contribution to international efforts aimed at the solution of the Afghan problem.             While discussing bilateral Tajik-Portuguese relations, the interlocutors stressed that although they are only in the stage of formation, there are still many opportunities and reserves for their reinforcing and broadening.              It was noted that the fact of Tajikistan possessing vast hydro-energetic and other natural resources and Portugal having advanced technologies and wide possibilities for investing may be a good basis for the development of economic cooperation between the two countries.             The interlocutors agreed in the view that at the present stage the two countries should obtain a better knowledge of each other's possibilities and resources.             During the meeting, a useful conversation took place concerning the situation in the Central Asian region and opportunities of the development of regional cooperation.