Lukashenko shed light on reasons for success in relations with Tajikistan
The President of Belarus held a meeting with the Chairman of Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli (lower house of parliament) of Tajikistan, Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda. Aleksandr Lukashenko, in particular, explained the reasons for success in the Belarusian-Tajik relations.
“Our peoples have much in common. I would even say they are no different. These are kind, hardworking, talented peoples. In this regard, we have certain success in our relationship,” the Head of State said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that he had known the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, for more than a quarter of a century. “This path was not easy for us, but I told him yesterday, “Listen, we have been together for so long, but I do not remember that we have ever been involved in a tense conversation, had a dispute or even an argument.” This is not because we are friends, but because we think absolutely the same in this regard. For me, he has always been an example of service to his homeland, a selfless person,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that the leaders of Belarus and Tajikistan are ready to show determination and defend national sovereignty and security with arms in their hands. We remember how the President of Belarus had to take a machine gun in his hands in August 2020. Emomali Rahmon also defended independence and territorial integrity of Tajikistan at the dawn of the formation of modern statehood.
“[He is] a real representative of the Tajik people. He has always been a model of allegiance and reliability for me," Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “That is why we have such good relations – based on the similarities of the Belarusian and Tajik peoples.”
Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda, in turn, noted that the people of Tajikistan know the Belarusian leader as a wise politician and appreciate him for his openness. “In the post-Soviet space, our peoples are closest in the spirit of life values. Tajikistan views Belarus as a reliable friend, a strategic partner and a like-minded side. Tajiks have the warmest, sincere feelings towards Belarusians,” he said.
On the first day of his official visit to Tajikistan, October 11th, Aleksandr Lukashenko held talks with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon. They initially talked privately and then in an expanded format. The President of Belarus, in particular, noted that the current level of Belarusian-Tajik contacts enables the countries to discuss any, even the most difficult issues on both the bilateral agenda and interaction in international and integration associations, in a trust-based manner.
"It was the willingness of both sides to strengthen partnership and allied relations, deepen and develop contacts that made it possible to give a special status of strategic interaction to co-operation between Belarus and Tajikistan," Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “We have actually no closed topics, no secret issues towards each other. We discuss any issues in a friendly, brotherly way and, I think, we will find a solution.”
