DUSHANBE, July 7, Asia-Plus -- On July 7, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, who arrived in Tajikistan for a two-day visit, made a courtesy call on Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmonov.   

The Duke of York, or Prince Andrew as he is also known, is the second son of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

“Cooperation with Europe is one of priorities and main directions of foreign policy of Tajikistan and it is in our interest to expand cooperation with such advanced country as the Great Britain,” President Rahmonov noted during his meeting with the Duke of York. 

In the course of the talks the two also considered issues related to activities of the U.K. non-government organizations in Tajikistan such as “Save the Children”, “STAR”, MERLIN, as well as Tajik-British gold-mining joint venture “Zarafshon-Gold”.  

During the meeting it was noted that Tajikistan and the Great Britain had good potentials for further expansion of bilateral cooperation in the filed of economy, interaction in fighting terrorism and extremism.

The meeting also focused on issues related to study of the English language in Tajikistan and training of personnel for Tajikistan in British higher educational institutions.  

The sides also considered issues of providing assistance to Tajikistan in strengthening of protection of the Tajik-Afghan border and fight against drug trafficking.