The role of the Leader of the Nation in foreign policy formation

An article by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin MUHRIDDIN, dedicated to “The role of the Leader of the Nation in foreign policy formation”. Newspaper “Jumhuriyat”.

The Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, 10 years ago, on March 15, 2013, during a meeting with the diplomatic staff of the country in honor of the opening of a new building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated the following: The expanded participation of our state in the activities of international and regional organizations began with the fact that our country needed to contribute as much as possible to the strengthening of international security and stability, to ensure maximum protection of its interests, to achieve the long-term objectives of Tajikistan’s foreign policy using technological, economic, political and intellectual opportunities of these organizations in order to create favorable conditions for successful reforms in the country and ensure sustainable development of independent Tajikistan».

Now, having passed a certain stage since that historical day, we decided to briefly analyze the most important aspects of the formation process of foreign policy of the independent Tajikistan.

During the period when the Republic of Tajikistan gained state independence, the reality was that in an extremely sensitive, complicated and confusing political situation, none of the politicians of that time was ready to take responsibility for the state leadership. Out of the political elites of that time, there was not a single person to complete a vital mission, i.e., to save the newly independent Tajik state from abyss of destruction and ensure peace and tranquility. In such a complex situation, namely H.E. Emomali Rahmon, the true Leader of the Nation, who rose from the among people in the political sphere, with courage, awareness of high responsibility and a sense of patriotism, decided to save the Motherland, fight for state stability and secure nation’s existence.

At the same time, along with the solution of complex issues of domestic policy, it was a very difficult task to represent the Tajikistan in the international arena and to achieve recognition and trust of the international community. 

To carry out this vital mission, the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, on 29 September 29 1993, for the first time from the tribune of the United Nations, presented to the world community the peaceful goals and good intentions of a new independent state with constructive plans as an independent subject of international relations.

In terms of content, ideas and political aspects this event certainly has historical significance and based on this upon the initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the country’s Parliament proclaimed September 29 as the "Day of the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Tajikistan".

Since that day, the international community has recognized the path chosen by the Government of Tajikistan, especially the first steps in its pragmatic, proven and stable foreign policy. Undoubtedly, in this process, the Leader of the Nation, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, with his peacemaking efforts and the reunification of a divided people, became the architect of Tajikistan’s balanced and good-neighborliness foreign policy. Indeed, the theoretical and legal basis of the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan is formed by practical and objective content, that determines the main goals and directions, ways and means of implementing long-term national interests, namely to the high political talent, insightful and far-sighted view of the Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon.

Another important step in this direction was the adoption of the Constitution through the national referendum, which introduced the Republic of Tajikistan to the world as a sovereign, democratic, legal, secular and united State, and also identified the creation of a fair society as one of the supreme goals of the state, which served as the basis for enhancing the international reputation of the republic. In this process, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Diplomatic Service," the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Tajikistan, other normative legal acts developed and approved on the basis of the Constitution, became the fundamentals of goals and objectives of the state and the people in conducting foreign policy for the protection and realization of national interests.

In the international arena Tajikistan is recognized as a leading country pusuing peaceful and constructive foreign policy, and based on this concept we have established mutually beneficial cooperation with all states and organizations. Such success was achieved at the beginning of the second decade of independence as a result of implementing "open door" foreign policy at the initiative of the Leader of the Nation, H.E. Emomali Rahmon. Based on the "open door" policy, our country has acquired a special style of its diplomatic approach and today not only actively participates in addressing regional and global affairs, but also is recognized as a leading initiator country of global significant initiatives in the international arena. It is very appropriate here to quote from the Address of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Majlisi Oli as of December 23, 2022, which states: «Our country, based on its foreign policy of “open doors”, is set to expand and develop friendly relations, and mutually beneficial and constructive bilateral and multilateral cooperation with all countries of the world."

Currently, the Republic of Tajikistan is recognized by 192 countries of the world, and diplomatic relations have been established with 183 countries. Furthermore, our country is a full member of all international and regional organizations and is a party to more than 170 international conventions. For effective operation and constant monitoring of national interests in the international arena, strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation, diplomatic representations and consular offices of the Republic of Tajikistan abroad are gradually being created, the number of ambassadors is now 39, as well as non-resident ambassadors have been appointed in more than 20 countries. Embassies of 24 foreign countries, representations and offices of 57 authoritative international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations operate in Dushanbe.

It should be emphasized that, taking into account modern processes, the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan is becoming even more pragmatic and realistic in nature and content, which, of course, contributes to the consistent implementation of the national and state goals of the country. In particular, over the past two decades, Tajikistan has taken several measures that, as factors in the development of foreign policy, have led the republic to important achievements in this process:

1. With a view to secure better development and implementation of international treaties and their adaptation to national interests, as well as broad coordination of the activities among institutions responsible for foreign policy, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Diplomatic Service" (2014 and with amendments in 2019) and the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On International Treaties of the Republic of Tajikistan" (2016) have been adopted in the new edition.  In addition, on December 30, 2019, Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 657 on amendments and additions to the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan of December 26, 2006 No. 593 "On the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan” which led to targeted changes, including the restructuring of the Ministry;

2. By Decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 332 of January 27, 2015, the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Republic of Tajikistan was adopted in a new edition, in which, taking into account changes and transformations in the international arena, the main goals and objectives of the foreign policy of the state were determined. Of course, the goals and objectives in this Concept also follow from the conditions of changes in the political, social, economic and cultural life of the country and the prospects for the geopolitical situation in the region and the world in the second decade of the XXI century. In particular, this fundamental document provides for the development and implementation of a foreign policy that is consistent with the development of the country and the expanding processes of integration and globalization, contributes to the entry into these processes, provides new opportunities for preventing and eliminating possible risks and threats to national security, creates a favorable ground for the consistent implementation of national interests on the basis of objectivity and balance. The adoption of a new concept, which can be called a part of the foreign policy-making process, covering national particularities, was developed with coverage of national characteristics at a qualitatively new level and determined the national interests of the Republic of Tajikistan in the future. In the rating of national interests, the priorities are the protection and strengthening of state independence, territorial integrity, ensuring national security, political, economic and cultural sovereignty of the state. In addition, the main tasks of foreign policy for the implementation of national goals include creating favorable conditions for sustainable economic development and improving the welfare of the population, ensuring the economic and environmental security of the country, protecting the rights, freedom, honor and interests of citizens, legal entities of Tajikistan outside the country, establishing good neighborly relations with the countries of the region, developing and strengthening friendly and trusting relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of the world, strengthening the positive image of Tajikistan in the world, deepening ties with the societies of foreign compatriots within the framework of the legislation of their countries of residence;

3.  With a view to improving consular services for citizens and adapt this process to modern requirements and the needs of citizens, significant changes were made in this direction, which, above all, were taken into account the factors of ensuring the mood of citizens, as well as security and confidence in the documents being developed.

Taking into account the modern development of information technologies in the system of consular services, electronic networks were created for registration and issuance of passports with foreign biometric data for citizens of Tajikistan and visas of the Republic of Tajikistan to foreign citizens and stateless persons. In particular, the implementation of the program for issuing electronic visas (e-visa), which is currently used by citizens of most countries of the world, as well as the adoption of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan No. 464”, played an important role in strengthening the positive image of the state and attracting more foreign investors and tourists to Tajikistan;

4. Strengthening and expanding cooperation within the framework of regional and international organizations has a special place in the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan. The result of such effective cooperation made it possible to implement the global initiatives of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, especially in the finiding adequate and timely solutions to problems related to water resources and their rational use, climate and environmental issues. Countering the threats and challenges of our time received the support of the absolute majority of the international community, and Tajikistan was recognized as a leading country in this constructive and humanitarian direction.

It should be noted that in the course of advancing the global water agenda, the concept of water diplomacy was created and is being used by the international community, the main idea of ​​which is the use of a new negotiating tool in order to find close positions to resolve issues related to water management.

Today, we can proudly say that Tajikistan is the owner of five world-class practical initiatives, each of which, in general, is directly related to the fate of mankind, and practically no country remains neutral in their decision.

Based on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan at the 54th session (October 1, 1999), the 55th session of the UN General Assembly, held on September 20, 2000, declared 2003 the «International Year of Fresh Water".  As a result of the implementation of this initiative, an international summit on fresh water was held in Dushanbe from August 29 to September 1, 2003.

On 23 December 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the basis of the Dushanbe declaration and proclaimed 2005-2015 as the International Decade of Action "Water for Life". In addition, in 2013, the international community, through General Assembly resolution 67/204, proposed by Tajikistan, celebrated the "International Year of Water Cooperation". The opening ceremony of the "International Year of Water Cooperation" was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 11 February 2013 with the active participation of a high-level delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan. On the basis of the proposal of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, on 21 December 2016, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a relevant resolution, according to which the International Decade of Action "Water for Sustainable Development" was declared in 2018-2028. This initiative was first presented to the international community by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on April 12, 2015 during the World Water Summit in Daegu city of the Republic of Korea.

Subsequently, as part of the implementation of this important initiative, in June 2018, the International High-Level Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" 2018-2028 was held in Dushanbe with the participation of high-ranking representatives of UN member states and other international and regional organizations, during which discussed a range of important issues related to water resources.

Another historic event, which took place on December 14, 2022, was the adoption, at the initiative of the Leader of the Nation, during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, of a resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation, and World Glacier Day on March 21. This initiative was adopted with the support of 153 Member States of the United Nations, the International Glaciers Preservation Trust Fund coordinated by the UN was established and a high-level international conference on the preservation of glaciers was planned to be held in Dushanbe in 2025.

Now, taking into account the warm reception by the world community of another initiative of the Leader of the Nation, during the implementation of the International Year of Glaciers Preservation, Tajikistan as the country-initiator will be more in focus of the international community. Because the valuable initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan will play a significant role in sustainable development and integrated water resources management, implementation of special sectoral projects and programs, strengthening cooperation for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals associated with water resources.

It is also very important to note another point that the achievement of national independence in the last decade of the 20th century for the Tajik nation is not the beginning of statehood, but a return to the world politics’ scene. However, we had neither an institution nor a full-fledged structure implementing foreign policy from the very first days of state independence. From this point of view, today, with full confidence and a sense of pride, it should be said that formation of the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan and, within its framework, the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are the real fruits of the independence period and the uncompromising efforts of the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon to ensure a bright future of the Tajik state and nation.

Sirojiddin MUHRIDDIN,

Minister of foreign affairs Republic of Tajikistan