Speech by E.Rahmon in Vanj district

Speech by President of the Republic of Tajikistan
E.Rahmon at the ceremony
opening of the interstate
bridge between the Republic of Tajikistan
and the Republic of Afghanistan
in Vanj district
August 16, 2011.

Dear compatriots!
Distinguished guests and attendees!

I am very glad that today again I meet with you - hospitable and nice, conscientious and patriotic citizens of Vanj district. Firstly, I want to say that every time I come to meet you, I always cover the joy and satisfaction from your sincere support to policy of the state and the Government of Tajikistan.
In today's meeting is also present delegation friendly and brotherly Afghanistan headed by Mr. Asadullo Kholid- Border Guard Service of the President and nationalities, which extend a warm welcome on behalf of the people of Tajikistan.

Our current visit to Badakhshon Mountainous Autonomous Region, including Vanj distric coincided with the time when all the young alike and strives to meet adequately the old grand and gorgeous, our national holiday - the twentieth anniversary of state independence of Tajikistan expensive creative work for the prosperity of the motherland.

In this regard, using the appropriate moment, I sincerely congratulate all of you, esteemed and respected guests present from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the anniversary of the twentieth anniversary of state independence of Tajikistan and the commissioning of another bridge of friendship and cooperation between our countries, I wish you peace of family, life and success.
Twenty years ago in the life of the people of Tajikistan has fundamentally historical turning point, that is, September 9, 1991 the Tajik people after a thousand years of statelessness has found a free and sovereign state, took into their own hands their fate, began to creative work for the prosperity of the motherland, laying the first building blocks of national independence and establishing the foundations of sovereign statehood.

As you all know, the State and Government of Tajikistan since the beginning of independence, along with the adoption of necessary measures to address vital issues, has announced the country out of isolation communication and one of the most important strategic goals of its activities.

In implementing this goal ever since to this day in the direction of transport infrastructure has greatly. During this period, commissioned road Kulob-Khorugh-Kulma-Qaroqurum, five bridges on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, in its final stages are the main construction work on tunnels and Shahriston Chormaghzak, repair highways Dushanbe - Nurobod-Jirgatol-Saritosh and reconstruction highway from Dushanbe Chanak.
That is rapidly going construction, renovation and reconstruction of roads and bridges internal and interstate, we have used all their resources and capabilities to create free transport links to all four directions of the country. For these initiatives to the current conditions of regional and global economic and trade relations play an important and constructive role.

Furthermore, Tajikistan has always attached special importance to the expansion of good, constructive and mutually beneficial relations with all its close neighbors, including friendly and brotherly Afghanistan, with us having linguistic and cultural community, as well as developing good relations with the peoples of these countries.

We always appreciate ancient history and culture of their ancestors, good traditions and common values that we have with the people of Afghanistan, are constantly striving to preserve and strengthen friendly relations.
Thanks to the steps of the creative work, including through small and large built to date roads and bridges, remove the difficulties in the movements of people, internal and external trade, transport goods and materials, the movement of vehicles to neighboring countries, primarily in the areas of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and China.

In implementing this strategic goals of Tajikistan today commissioned a friendly bridge between Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This bridge was built on the basis of a trilateral agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Aga Khan Foundation at the amount of more than 12 million somoni (TJS), its length is 216 meters, width - 5 m and load capacity - 30 tons.

Moreover, for the construction of the bridge infrastructure, in particular for organizing cross-border markets on both sides, the construction of administrative buildings border structures, customs and transportation check points had been spent over 2 million Somoni additional funds.
It should be recalled that the planning and execution of all work carried out by national organizations and institutions. These good deeds with their work have been involved more than 450 Tajik specialists and workers.

Thus, I want to express my gratitude to all of them for the completion of this good deed and humanistic contribution to the strengthening of the friendly peoples of nodes between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and wish them success in their future work for the prosperity of our independent country.

Dear Friends!

Over the past ten years through the implementation of proven strategies, construction and commissioning of interstate bridges observed the development of most vital spheres of the border areas of Afghanistan, fields such as education, health care, provides the region's population with electricity, food and trade.
Only in 2010 the volume of cross-border trade in Afghanistan through Tajikistan and the existing bridges has increased several times. The most important thing is that thanks to these bridges will be strengthened even further the bonds of friendship and the traditions of good neighborliness.

According to our analysis after the commissioning of the current bridge, more than 70 thousand citizens on both sides will be involved in terms of trade and business.

We intend to continue in the border areas of our country to build a hydroelectric plant. This initiative will provide for almost all needs of Afghanistan, especially the border areas with Tajikistan, cheap and environmentally friendly electricity.

If implemented, these targets border areas on both sides will become prosperous, beautiful countryside and major shopping centers.
With the construction of these facilities and repair roads of northern Afghanistan, our country will find the shortest possible transport connections to the important ports of warm seas, especially to the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, as well as major developing regions and the world - West Asia, South Asia and South - East Asia, which will have for the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is not only a huge economic and communication, but also political, geo-strategic importance.

At the same time, through these roads and bridges Afghanistan will find the shortest path to the major markets of Central Asia, Russia and China.

Dear friends!

To further enhance the positive and constructive process to strengthen transport and trade links need to be ensured peace in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
As all of you know, Tajikistan, always with high-Tribune expressed its support on ensuring sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan and now once again reminds all you that we will continue to remain a supporter of peace and security in the territory of its nearest neighbors - Afghanistan.

We own bitter experience we know that strife, political and social crisis situation caused serious problems in the way of progress of any state and nation. From this perspective, we will not spare any of their assistance, support and assistance for the sake of stability in neighboring Afghanistan, because the stability of the situation in the neighboring country is fully consistent with our national interests.

We believe that only the people of Afghanistan, using its experience and many thousands considering the interests of all residents of nationalities and ethnic groups, able to successfully resolve its internal problems.
In the coming days in the capital of our country - to be held in Dushanbe next meeting of the Quartet - the Heads of State of Russia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is one of our initiatives aims to promote and support peace-building process in Afghanistan.

Let our neighbors enjoy the fruits of peace and will gain the desired peace and inspiration.

These good intentions once again congratulate all of you - the distinguished guests and famous people of Vanj district on the occasion of the anniversary of our nation great - twenty years of state independence and the opening of another and strengthen the friendship linking Tajikistan and Afghanistan, the bridge, I wish each of you health, peace, great happiness and success.
Be always happy and proud!
(Translated by D.Azizov)