Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT1314
2009-10-19 08:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: TAJIKISTAN INTENDS TO INCREASE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001314
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; COMMERCE FOR EHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2019
TAGS: ETRD PREL TI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: TAJIKISTAN INTENDS TO INCREASE
AMOUNT OF TRADE
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia Reed Curran. Reasons 1.4 (B) a
nd (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001314
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; COMMERCE FOR EHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2019
TAGS: ETRD PREL TI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: TAJIKISTAN INTENDS TO INCREASE
AMOUNT OF TRADE
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia Reed Curran. Reasons 1.4 (B) a
nd (D).
1. (U) President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon, was in
Turkmenbashi and Avaza on October 9-10 for a working visit
with Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov. Turkmen state-run
newspapers described the visit as building relations between
the two "brotherly" neighbors, especially in the areas of
trade, energy, transportation, construction, tourism,
education, science, and culture. They reported that the
presidents also talked about regional issues, including
hydroelectric resources and security in Afghanistan.
2. (SBU) A contact at the Embassy of Tajikistan, Nazirmad
Aliev, told Poloff that Turkmenistan and Tajikistan have no
political disagreements, so there was really nothing to
discuss on that front. Aliev also described Tajiks and
Turkmen as so closely related that when Turkmen find out
where he is from they say, "Oh, you're one of ours." The two
presidents signed a whole series of agreements that were
general in nature, including one on the work of the
ministries of Foreign Affairs, and one on bilateral
commissions for culture, education, and sports. The
agreements only provide a base for future joint work and
update agreements from the late 1990s.
3. (C) According to Aliev, the Tajikistan Government was most
interested in increasing the volume of trade between the two
countries. He said that trade between the two countries
amounts to $80 million a year now, but has increased three
times in the past two years. He credited this to the
frequent presidential visits. President Rakhmon came to
Turkmenistan for former president Niyazov's funeral and
Berdimuhamedov's inauguration. Since then the Tajikistani
president has made an official visit and this working visit
to Turkmenistan, and Rakhmon invited Berdimuhamedov to
Dushanbe in 2010. The two presidents also met on the margins
of the UNGA in September in New York. Aliev mentioned that
the two presidents discussed opening direct flights between
Dushanbe and Ashgabat.
4. (C) COMMENT: The Turkmen and Tajik Governments' differing
commentary on Rakhmon's visit shows that Turkmenistan is
currently focusing on bolstering its image as a regional
leader whereas Tajikistan is attempting to develop its
economy. Nevertheless, both countries portrayed the
presidential visit positively and seem to desire stronger
ties. However, they need to solve problem areas, such as how
to divide regional water resources and how to facilitate
travel between the two countries, before they can truthfully
say they see eye-to-eye politically. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; COMMERCE FOR EHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2019
TAGS: ETRD PREL TI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: TAJIKISTAN INTENDS TO INCREASE
AMOUNT OF TRADE
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia Reed Curran. Reasons 1.4 (B) a
nd (D).
1. (U) President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon, was in
Turkmenbashi and Avaza on October 9-10 for a working visit
with Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov. Turkmen state-run
newspapers described the visit as building relations between
the two "brotherly" neighbors, especially in the areas of
trade, energy, transportation, construction, tourism,
education, science, and culture. They reported that the
presidents also talked about regional issues, including
hydroelectric resources and security in Afghanistan.
2. (SBU) A contact at the Embassy of Tajikistan, Nazirmad
Aliev, told Poloff that Turkmenistan and Tajikistan have no
political disagreements, so there was really nothing to
discuss on that front. Aliev also described Tajiks and
Turkmen as so closely related that when Turkmen find out
where he is from they say, "Oh, you're one of ours." The two
presidents signed a whole series of agreements that were
general in nature, including one on the work of the
ministries of Foreign Affairs, and one on bilateral
commissions for culture, education, and sports. The
agreements only provide a base for future joint work and
update agreements from the late 1990s.
3. (C) According to Aliev, the Tajikistan Government was most
interested in increasing the volume of trade between the two
countries. He said that trade between the two countries
amounts to $80 million a year now, but has increased three
times in the past two years. He credited this to the
frequent presidential visits. President Rakhmon came to
Turkmenistan for former president Niyazov's funeral and
Berdimuhamedov's inauguration. Since then the Tajikistani
president has made an official visit and this working visit
to Turkmenistan, and Rakhmon invited Berdimuhamedov to
Dushanbe in 2010. The two presidents also met on the margins
of the UNGA in September in New York. Aliev mentioned that
the two presidents discussed opening direct flights between
Dushanbe and Ashgabat.
4. (C) COMMENT: The Turkmen and Tajik Governments' differing
commentary on Rakhmon's visit shows that Turkmenistan is
currently focusing on bolstering its image as a regional
leader whereas Tajikistan is attempting to develop its
economy. Nevertheless, both countries portrayed the
presidential visit positively and seem to desire stronger
ties. However, they need to solve problem areas, such as how
to divide regional water resources and how to facilitate
travel between the two countries, before they can truthfully
say they see eye-to-eye politically. END COMMENT.
CURRAN