DUSHANBE, May 23, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan is interested in cooperation with NATO, President Emomali Rahmon said at his meeting with visiting NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Central Asia Robert Simmons today.  

Presidential press service cited the president as saying that Tajikistan is interested in broadening the cooperation with the alliance that has a big experience in the conduction of joint military exercises, coordination of search and rescue operations, humanitarian actions and liquidation of consequence of emergencies.

The sides positively appraised cooperation in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program and interaction with NATO’s countries whose armed forces are engaged in Afghanistan, according to presidential press service.

The Tajik president called very important the Western alliance’s role in the consolidation of security and stability in Afghanistan.

He stressed that Dushanbe “supports NATO’s actions in the region and will help accomplishing them.”

The two also exchanged views on ways to strengthen Tajik-Afghan border and fight drug trafficking.