F.P. Report
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met on Thursday with Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Washington, D.C. The Secretary welcomed the eighth iteration of the U.S.-Tajik Annual Bilateral Consultations held at the State Department.
The Secretary reaffirmed the strength and importance of the U.S.-Tajikistan bilateral relationship and expressed his appreciation for Foreign Minister Muhriddin’s continued leadership on regional security issues. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister agreed that a just and durable settlement in Afghanistan would advance regional economic growth and integration.
The Secretary expressed a desire for further bilateral collaboration on promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as economic development, and affirmed the U.S. commitment to Tajikistan’s security, stability, and territorial integrity.
The Eighth U.S.-Tajikistan Annual Bilateral Consultations: The State Department hosted Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and a delegation from the Government of Tajikistan for the eighth U.S.-Tajikistan Annual Bilateral Consultations on July 1, following 30 years of bilateral partnership between the United States and Tajikistan.
The United States delegation, led by Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Dean Thompson, reiterated the United States’ commitment to Tajikistan’s independence, sovereignty, and prosperity and cited our shared goal of a just and durable settlement in Afghanistan. The delegations discussed issues related to security and law enforcement, human rights, and energy and the economy. Participants affirmed their countries’ commitments to jointly address regional security threats, cooperate on efforts to counter terrorism, and professionalize security services. Officials discussed opportunities for advancing mutual goals to promote religious freedom and combat trafficking in persons. The delegations also discussed joint initiatives to increase regional connectivity and improve bilateral trade and investment opportunities.
