DUSHANBE, July 5, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon yesterday sent a telegram of congratulations to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr. Gordon, over election of him as head of the Government, presidential press service said.

 In his congratulatory message, President Rahmon, in particular, noted that Tajikistan highly appraises its many-sided relations with Great Britain and is interested in further expansion of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.  

The head of state expressed confidence that cooperation between the two countries for the sake of peace and stability will expand on the basis of equality of rights and mutual respect.  

Gordon Brown became prime minister on June 27 2007 after serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister) in three consecutive Labor governments under Tony Blair. He was the only candidate for the premiership when Mr. Blair stood down two years into his third term in office.