As part of his official visit to Turkmenistan, Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) Speaker Rustam Emomali yesterday met in Ashgabat with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow.

The Majlis Milli press center says Rustam Emomali congratulated Serdar Berdimuhamedow on his victory in the presidential elections in Turkmenistan.

The parties reportedly discussed wide range of issues related to the bilateral economic and humanitarian cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and expressed interest in expanding economic ties through the implementation of the Intergovernmental Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation.


It was noted that Turkmenistan is gradually becoming one of the leading foreign economic partners of Tajikistan.      

Emomali and Berdimuhamedow also discussed the bilateral cooperation between their countries in the fields of energy, transportation, industry and agriculture. 

While discussing cooperation in the agrarian sector, they, in particular, touched upon the issue of full processing of cotton the two countries produce into manufactured goods in the countries.


The parties reportedly also discussed cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in the fields of education and culture. 

In order to expand cultural ties, it was proposed to consider organizing Days of Turkmen Culture in Tajikistan in 2022-2023.

Rustam Emomali, on behalf of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, invited Turkmen leader Serdar Berdimuhamedow to pay an official visit to Tajikistan. The invitation was accepted, the Majlis Milli press center said. 

It is the fourth official visit of Rustam Emomali abroad.  In May 2020, Rustam Emomali paid an official visit to the Russian Federation in his capacity as Speaker of the Majlisi Milli.  In late September last year, he paid an official visit to Kazakhstan.  In early March this year, Rustam Emomali paid an official visit to Azerbaijan in his capacity as speaker of Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament.

Meanwhile, some experts note that these visits of Rustam Emomali signal his emerging role.