Uzbekistan is the main trading partner of Tajikistan, said the Deputy Head of the Tajikistan's Government, opening the meeting of Tajik-Uzbek intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation, CA-News reported.
He expressed confidence that the meeting will give a new impetus to cooperation, build confidence and bring the relations of the two neighboring countries to a new level.
"The Uzbek delegation arrived to Dushanbe to discuss important issues in constructive and open atmosphere," said First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov.
"The approaches developed by the presidents of the two countries will receive constructive continuation and new impetus for fruitful cooperation in future," said Azimov. Currently, there is a need to strengthen legal framework, particularly in economic sphere. "We are the neighbors that have common roots. There are prerequisites for development of cooperation," Azimov added.
Relevant protocol, that will reflect agreement on rational use of water and energy resources in 2009 will be signed by the end of the meeting. Meeting of the intergovernmental commission on delimitation and demarcation of state border between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is planned as well.
The most relevant issue discussed by the committee is water and energy sector, trade, customs and transportation, informed Larisa Kislyakova, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan.
Uzbekistan is one of them main trading partners of Tajikistan. Out of the total foreign trade turnover, share of Uzbekistan amounts to 4.7% and to 10% among CIS countries.
On the same day the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon received the Head of the Uzbekistan's delegation. The parties discussed prospects of multilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The parties focused on transit of Turkmen electricity though Uzbekistan's grid to Tajikistan, as well as issues of water management in summer period.