Ghani Meets With Tajik President in Dushanbe

President Ashraf Ghani on Monday met with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe and both discussed the strengthening of Afghanistan-Tajikistan ties in various sectors, the Presidential Palace said.

“Cooperation and relations between the two countries–that have a common language, culture and civilization–are based on the principle of brotherhood and on our being neighbors,” Rahmon said in the meeting as quoted in a statement by the Presidential Palace.

Tajikistan is hosting the ninth Hearth of Asia – Istanbul Process conference that is focused on strengthening a regional and international consensus for Afghan peace.

Ghani said in the meeting that there isn’t any difference in interests between Afghanistan and Tajikistan and “we want the border of the two countries to change into a border of cooperation, coordination and harmony.”

Afghan and Tajik officials signed five documents pledging cooperation following Ghani’s meeting with Tajikistan’s leader.

President Ghani also met with Tajikistan Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda and discussed the strengthening of Kabul-Dushanbe ties in various sectors, the Presidential Palace said.

He also met with Tajikistan Parliament Speaker Mohammad Taher Zakerzada and discussed the further building of relations between the two countries, particularly in people-to-people and parliament-to-parliament relations.

President Ghani was awarded an honorary doctorate by Tajikistan National University. He delivered a speech at the event and emphasized cooperation between the two countries.