Article of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan in “Jumhuriyat” newspaper

EMOMALI RAHMON AND FOREIGN POLICY:

from formation to strengthening the global position

Over the years of independence, our country has achieved tangible progress through the wise policy of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon. The global initiatives of our President were supported by the international community, thereby, thanks to the Head of State, the Republic of Tajikistan has strengthened its international position.

In the new system of international relations, due to a well-thought-out foreign policy, which is based on the policy of "open doors", the Republic of Tajikistan was able to establish cooperation and strong ties with many countries of the world, international and regional organizations, influential financial institutions.

Despite the difficult years of formation as an independent state, the Republic of Tajikistan, under the leadership of the Head of State - Emomali Rahmon, has taken firm steps in choosing and implementation of a successful foreign policy, which has led to current international authority of Tajikistan.

As we know, in the first decade of independence, all the efforts of the country's leadership were aimed at stabilizing the internal situation and strengthening the foundations of statehood. Having passed this difficult stage, Tajikistan has opened its doors to the world. With the adoption of the first documents defining the direction of foreign policy - the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On the Diplomatic Service", the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Republic of Tajikistan and full membership in the international community, the process of establishing bilateral and multilateral relations with foreign countries and various organizations has intensified.

Certainly, in the process of forming a new Tajik state and its international reputation, the role of national diplomacy is very important. Although at the beginning we did not have a full-fledged institution or structure implementing foreign policy, today thanks to the wisdom and foresight of the Head of State, we have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has sufficient potential to successfully implement the tasks assigned to it. In this regard, it would be logical to mention that foreign policy, the establishment of international relations and, in general, the implementation of diplomatic activity was established during the period of independence, and its architect and founder is the Leader of the Nation.

At the same time, the historical path of our state and Tajik diplomacy for 31 years of independence under the leadership of the Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon was very difficult. From the first days of his activity as Head of State, Emomali Rahmon has established close ties with international organizations and countries of the region, which has become a driving factor in the economic development of Tajikistan, an important basis for ensuring the security and stability of the state. Possessing political foresight, the President understood that without broad political and economic cooperation it would be impossible to to carry out the complex tasks of building and strengthening an independent Tajikistan and building its economic potential. Therefore, the Republic of Tajikistan in its multi-vector foreign policy gives priority to cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. It is thanks to State independence and a well-thought-out foreign policy that today Tajikistan has diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries of the world, in order to effectively operate and protect national interests in the international arena, it has gradually established a wide network of diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad.

The international community recognizes that in the 21st century the global initiatives of the President of Tajikistan serve the interests of all peoples and are designed to ensure a decent life for mankind. Four initiatives of Tajikistan - "International Year of Fresh Water, 2003", "International Decade for Action "Water for Life, 2005-2015", "International Year of Water Cooperation, 2013" and the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028" were fully supported by the international community, as the the main goal of these initiatives is to solve the global problems of the planet, including mitigation of climate change and water scarcity. Ignoring these problems can lead to serious tragedies. On the other hand, the importance of the water initiatives of the esteemed President lies in the fact that they are primarily aimed at strengthening and regulating relations in this vital area, give a new look at the use of water resources in the region and the world and lay a solid foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The support of the international community for the initiatives of Tajikistan in the person of the Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon in solving water and energy problems, countering terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, and the assistance in resolving the problems of Afghanistan testifies to the special position of Tajikistan in the system of international relations and the high authority of the President of Tajikistan in the political circles of the world.

The wise and comprehensive policy of the Head of State allowed the Tajik people to write a new page in the annals of long-standing statehood, relying on high national values and modern political culture.

Today we can proudly say that in a short historical period, effective steps have been taken to strengthen the foundations of a truly sovereign, democratic, secular and social Tajikistan, and the main directions of domestic and foreign policy have been determined, taking into account national interests. Large-scale programmes, including in the social and economic fields, are being implemented to develop all areas of public life.

An independent foreign policy, determined by the Leader of the Nation and carried out under his leadership, allows Tajikistan to maintain balanced and equal relations with all important centers of power in the region and the world. The foreign policy of Tajikistan is transparent, as well as its commitment to international principles and respect for the interests of its partners, its priority is the observance of national interests. It should be noted that the activities of the diplomatic missions and consular offices of Tajikistan abroad are aimed at protecting the strategic interests of the country and this is the main objective of our foreign policy. It is noteworthy that the world community recognizes the decisiveness of our state in the light of constructive and creative initiatives, objective approaches to modern global problems and active participation in their solution. This position will contribute to the expansion of constructive relations with other countries of the world and the active participation of Tajikistan in world politics.

We are confident that under the leadership of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, the Republic of Tajikistan, actively participating in solving the global agenda and having a unique diplomatic approach, will achieve even greater success and strengthen its position in the international arena.

“Jumhuriyat” newspaper, No. 190 (24549) 98th year of publication

October 4, 2022

Sirojiddin MUHRIDDIN

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Tajikistan