RI, Tajikistan agree to to upgrade diplomatic ties

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia and Tajikistan agreed on Tuesday to strengthen their diplomatic ties and signed several agreements to increase future economic cooperation.

After bilateral talks, President Megawati Soekarnoputri and visiting Tajikistan President Emomali Sharipovich Rahmonov said the economic agreements would give more meaning to the diplomatic ties between the two countries, both of which have large Muslim populations.

"Discussion in various fields will give a new impulse in the bilateral relations of our two countries," President Rahmonov said during a joint press briefing with Megawati.

He suggested that there should be further action to increase the value of trade between the two countries in the future.

Megawati said she and Rahmonov also discussed various international and regional issues such as terrorism, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan.

"We share the view that there should be a consistent fight against terrorism and it should also address the root cause of terror, which is injustice in some parts of the world," Megawati said.

She said that on Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan, the two leaders agreed that these problems should be resolved within the framework of the United Nations.

President Rahmonov said Tajikistan and Indonesia had "similar positions in regard to these regional and international issues".

The Tajikistan President is on a five-day state visit to Indonesia, the first official visit by a Tajikistan head of state since the country gained its independence in 1989.

He arrived late on Monday at Halim Perdanakusumah airport in Jakarta from Tajikistan.

After the meeting, the two presidents witnessed the signing of six memorandums of understanding on the avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investment, establishment of joint commissions and cooperation in the fields of trade, education and tourism.

Indonesian Minister of Trade and Industry Rini MS Soewandi said the trade value between the two countries stood at about US$300,000 annually "and can be further exploited".

During the press conference, President Rahmonov also invited President Megawati to visit Tajikistan.

Later on Tuesday, President Rahmonov made courtesy calls on Vice President Hamzah Haz and People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, and attended a dinner at the State Palace.

On Wednesday, the visiting President will receive a courtesy call from Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda and hold a meeting with executives from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce.

President Rahmonov is also slated to meet with House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and visit the PT National Gobel Electronics Industries plant.

After the visit, Rahmonov and his entourage will leave for the resort island of Bali, where they will stay for two days before flying back to Tajikistan.