DUSHANBE, September 10, 2008, Asia-Plus -- Leaders of foreign countries, statesmen and heads of international organizations have felicitated President Emomali Rahmon on Tajikistan’s Independence Day.    

According to presidential press service, in his message of congratulations, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in particular, noted that relations between Russia and Tajikistan have assumed a character of really strategic partnership and been developing dynamically.  He expressed confidence that the recent meeting at the highest level in Dushanbe will give a new impulse to further expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.    

The US President George W. Bush noted in his message of congratulations that having gained its independence in 1991, Tajikistan overcome many problems and entered the way to growth and progress.  The United States supports independence and national sovereignty of the Republic of Tajikistan and shares Tajik people’s hope for Tajikistan’s economic and democratic development.  The United States highly appraises cooperation with Tajikistan in supporting establishment of peace in Afghanistan and provision of regional security in the Central Asian region, the press service said.  

Felicitating President Rahmon on Tajikistan’s Independence Day, Chinese President Hu Jintao noted that relations between China and Tajikistan have developed dynamically since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992.   Both countries have supported each other on important issues, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, the Chinese head of state noted.  

Congratulating Emomali Rahmon on Tajikistan’s Independence Day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed that Iran-Tajikistan relations will promote in the future through boosting cooperation.

President Emomali Rahmon has also received telegrams of congratulations from leaders of other countries and internationally known public figures and religious leaders.