Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday received German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, according to the Tajik president’s official website.  

The parties reportedly discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Germany.

A difficult and alarming situation in Afghanistan was the focus of negotiations, the Tajik president’s official website says.

Tajik leader, in particular, reiterated that that as a result of withdrawal of the international coalition forces from Afghanistan, the country today is on the brink of humanitarian disaster and the beginning of a new wave of the civil confrontation in the country, which is fraught with new difficulties and challenges for the entire Central Asian region. 

He also noted that one of factors facilitating stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan is formation of an inclusive government with participation of representatives of all ethnic groups.   

Emphasizing an important role of the United Nations, Rahmon noted that all necessary measures for formation of the inclusive government in Afghanistan must be taken under the auspices of the United Nations and with active participation of international community.  

“In this extremely difficult  situation, world powers should not stand aside must do their best to stabilize the situation in the neighboring country, otherwise, Afghanistan may be plunged into a protracted civil war,” Tajik leader said. 

Emomali Rahmon called on international community to provide comprehensive and targeted assistance to Afghanistan given the economic and social crisis in this country. 

The parties reportedly also discussed issues related to the provision by Germany and international community of assistance to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border.  

Rahmon and Maas expressed concern about the possibility of further transformation of the territory of Afghanistan into a foothold for training international terrorists and expressed readiness to jointly combat terrorism, extremism and transnational organized crime, the Tajik president’s official website says.

German Federal Foreign Minister reported stated that he would help stabilize the situation through negotiations and the formation of an open government.  

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas traveled to Tajikistan on Monday for high-level talks focused on Afghanistan.     

On August 15, the Taliban entered Kabul, prompting the US-supported civilian government to collapse. Ashraf Ghani resigned as president and fled the country to prevent what he described as imminent bloodshed if the militants had to fight for the city.

This development has created tensions in the region, with neighboring countries fearing the spread of violence and an exodus of asylum-seekers from the militant-controlled nation.