Afghanistan and Tajikistan: Shared History, Cultural Ties, and Regional Partnership

Joint Press Conference with President Emomali Rahmon, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Keypoints: 

• Regional Security: Cooperation against terrorism, extremism, and cross-border crime.
• Energy Cooperation: Development of the CASA-1000 electricity project.
• Economic Cooperation: Expansion of trade and investment.
• Regional Connectivity: Linking Central and South Asia through transport routes.
• Infrastructure Development: Cooperation in transit and communication networks.
• Cultural Exchange: Promotion of shared cultural and educational ties.
• Border Management: Strengthening border security and cooperation.
• Regional Partnership: Coordination for regional peace and development.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Your Excellency, the President of Tajikistan, first and foremost, I offer the warm greetings of the entire people and government of Afghanistan to you, and secondly, to our Tajik brothers and sisters. We share a common history, culture, language, and interests. There is no issue that can divide us; on the contrary, our shared interests have led us to revive the deep and vast cultural ties that were severed for a period after the re-independence of Tajikistan. On behalf of the people and government of Afghanistan, I congratulate Your Excellency and the people of Tajikistan from the bottom of my heart on the upcoming twenty-fifth anniversary of your independence.

Regional Stability and Security

Your Excellency, we thank you for your vision regarding the future of Afghanistan; it is a vision of high credibility. You believe that the government and nation of Afghanistan will be capable of establishing stability, prosperity, and regional cooperation. Your personal experience and your role in the transition from war and insecurity to stability serve as a point of hope. I express my sincere gratitude for your faith in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and the fundamental progress our forces have made in confronting the enemies of our nation and the region. I hope that together, we can secure the shared interests of the region.

The CASA-1000 Energy Initiative

We offer our full support for the CASA-1000 project. I hope it has been proven that since the day I assumed responsibility, the Afghan team has eliminated all obstacles that stood in its path. Tomorrow, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah, the Chief Executive of the National Unity Government, will accompany you. Because I have another international commitment tomorrow, I will take my leave; however, CASA is not just a project—it is a symbol, an example, and a sign of our collective will. It will reconnect an Asia that had been torn apart.

Energy production systems, which were previously only considered within national frameworks, are now becoming regional. In this regard, every meter of the CASA line connects Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan—and hopefully India in the future—to create a comprehensive system. This will allow us to utilize the abundant resources and immense energy production power of Tajikistan for the prosperity of the entire region. Electricity is the infrastructure of infrastructures. This is a massive step forward, and our cooperation will increase. Alongside CASA, Afghanistan and Tajikistan maintain comprehensive cooperation in the production, transmission, and consumption of energy.

Silk Road Revival and Cultural Connectivity

Securing Tajikistan’s transit connections to South Asia, Pakistan, and India is one of our fundamental goals. Trade harms no one; as economic relations expand, the scale of trust increases. We are all heirs to the Silk Road, and its revival is a foundational step. The Silk Road was not merely a path; it was a system. This system allowed the Persian (Dari) language to reach the furthest points of Bengal and Kolkata. It represents a magnificent shared culture for which communication routes are once again being provided. In the current era, our primary emphasis will also be on reviving the fiber optic network to achieve comprehensive connectivity.

Combatting Borderless Terrorism

The Islamic world today is undergoing a great transformation and faces significant dangers. Terrorism knows no nation, religion, or border; it is a shared threat, and we in Afghanistan stand on the front lines of this confrontation. However, because this phenomenon operates without passports, regional cooperation is a necessity. When states distinguish between "good" and "bad" terrorism, they harm everyone. Nevertheless, the border cooperation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and the steps we have taken toward a trilateral framework with China, represent a major leap in trust.

Rule of Law and Cultural Exchanges

In the cultural sphere, there is no need for repetition. Our artists visit one another and are welcomed with open arms. Honoring our shared historical figures is a fundamental issue. Furthermore, your emphasis on the financing of terrorism through criminal networks is vital. The presence of our Attorney General today shows that we will take comprehensive steps to strengthen the rule of law. We must work together to dismantle the financing of smuggling, terrorism, and extremism, showing their true nature—that they fight for profit and endanger innocent people.

Closing Remarks and Future Cooperation

I am deeply grateful, Your Excellency, for accepting my invitation. You are a comprehensive friend to the nation and government of Afghanistan. Our main focus moving forward is implementation—starting with CASA, followed by the railway and new projects. Regarding tomorrow, I specifically stayed to see your successful experience in transforming land into orchards with my own eyes. We have a proverb in Pashto: "Affection grows with coming and going." I hope our relations continue to strengthen day by day. Thank you.

The Joint Address of President Emomali Rahmon

Respected representatives of the media, ladies and gentlemen! Today, within the framework of our constructive meetings, we reviewed all fields of cooperation between our two friendly countries and important regional issues, including the current situation in Afghanistan. The strengthening of good-neighborly relations and achieving a new level of comprehensive cooperation were at the core of our dialogue. This visit takes place at a significant stage in our regional partnership.

Infrastructure and Economic Progress

Our joint efforts to begin construction on the CASA-1000 project—the opening ceremony of which will be held in Tajikistan in two days—is a clear symbol of these statements. We are confident that its implementation is of vital importance and will contribute to the prosperity and peaceful lives of our people. Special attention was also given to projects that open doors for regional infrastructure, transit, and transport capabilities. Both sides believe these will raise regional cooperation to a completely new level.

Security and Transnational Threats

During the negotiations, security issues and current political developments were discussed in detail. Both sides emphasized the need to strengthen border relations and ensure their security. We strive to turn our border into a frontier of stability, friendship, and cooperation. We emphasized the necessity of a principled fight against terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. Recent events show that these have become the greatest threats to the modern world. One of the primary sources of funding for international terrorism is the illegal drug trade; therefore, this fight is an essential part of our security strategy.

International and Cultural Coordination

Tajikistan calls for greater international assistance to Afghanistan. We also emphasized the need to expand cultural and scientific relations between our writers and scientists. Tajikistan welcomes the increasing role of Afghanistan in regional affairs and is ready to cooperate within the framework of the UN, the OIC, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). We desire to resolve conflicts in the Islamic world and ensure a new level of cooperation among Islamic countries.

Conclusion and Reciprocal Invitation

Our meetings took place in an atmosphere of goodwill, sincerity, and mutual respect. Tajikistan expresses its satisfaction with this official visit, assessing it as an important step in growing our friendly relations. We have accepted the invitation of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani for a reciprocal official visit to Afghanistan and have agreed to hold meetings—both formal and informal—twice a year. Now, I invite Your Excellency to share your comments. Please.