On May 30, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, participated and delivered a speech at the First Central Asia - Italy Summit in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. 

The Tajik president’s official website says it was emphasized that the results of today’s meeting will be another important step in expanding cooperation and continuing the good traditions of constructive dialogue between Central Asia and Italy.

President Rahmon considered the development of cooperation in the fields of energy, water resources, healthcare, agriculture, and science and education to be important.

He reportedly pointed out that trade and economic ties occupy an important place in the relations between the countries.

Rahmon considered the opportunities of Tajikistan in promoting multi-directional relations and considered it necessary to take effective measures to widely use the existing potential.

The use of Tajikistan’s abundant resources in the fields of hydropower, mineral extraction, production and export of agricultural products, textiles, and construction materials was considered beneficial.

Tajik leader called on the Italian business and investment circles to actively participate in the extraction, processing and export of industrial and agricultural products of Tajikistan by attracting capital and advanced technologies.

He recalled the practical cooperation between Tajikistan and Italy in the field of light industry, calling the activities of a number of textile enterprises of our country with Italian capital and technologies a clear example of these relations.

The head of state reportedly proposed to establish a Joint Investment Fund for Central Asia with the Italian Export-Credit Agency (SACE) and trade representations of leading companies of this country in Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries.

The implementation of projects for the development of regional transport communications and infrastructure was named as a promising area of cooperation.

Emomali Rahmon called on the countries participating in the First Central Asia - Italy Summit to cooperate in preventing and adapting to climate change, which is one of the most serious problems of our time.

It was expressed confidence that the First International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation will draw the attention of the international community to this very important issue.

While presenting the opportunities for cooperation in the field of education, the head of state supported the establishment of cooperation between universities of Tajikistan and Italy.

It was emphasized that Tajikistan is interested in developing joint educational programs, organizing academic exchanges, and conducting joint scientific research.

Student exchanges with leading Italian universities were welcomed both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of the European Union's educational programs, in particular "Erasmus Plus" and "Horizon Europe".

In connection with the ongoing conflicts in various regions of the planet and the rapidly changing situation in the world community, President Rahmon considered it important to continue cooperation in countering threats and challenges, such as the fight against terrorism, extremism, manifestations of radicalism and cross-border organized crime, including cybercrime and drug trafficking.

In conclusion, he expressed Tajikistan's readiness for close cooperation with Italy on all issues of mutual interest.